Coffee. What is it about this beverage that keeps people upbeat and not complete zombies? (Here’s lookin’ at you, college students dealing with grueling final exams and final presentations). Is consuming a grande coffee from Starbucks every morning actually beneficial to your health? According to an article by The Huffington Post, it is. There are many advantages to drinking coffee. From lessoning the symptoms of stress to providing your bodies with antioxidants; coffee, hot or cold, gives its drinkers more than just a boost when trying to wake up. Here are some other helpful ways this caffeinated beverage can come in handy!
Delay or ward off Depression
According to a study at the Harvard School of Public Health, people, mainly women, who regularly drink coffee, have a 20% lower chance of becoming depressed than those who do not drink coffee. The study stated that the more coffee consumed per day, the less likely the risk of becoming depressed decreased.
Can Promote a Healthy Weight
Drinking coffee after you eat can help the way your body processes food. Caffeine helps the digestive system process meals eaten prior to the coffee’s consumption slower. It also helps boost metabolism.
Lower Risks of Other Diseases
Coffee drinkers are less likely to contract skin cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and diabetes.
Drinking coffee can be beneficial to the health of those who consume it. However, keep in mind that coffee, on its own, is a preventer of diseases. Filling your cup with cream and ten spoonfuls of sugar before pouring the coffee in might defeat the purpose of drinking coffee and its benefits. To all of those college kids prepping yourselves for finals week; stop by a local café and grab yourself a cup of coffee before heading off to that final. That cup of joe will do much more than just give you a boost of energy.
SOURCES:
1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/17/coffee-health-benefits_n_4102133.html
2. http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/7-surprising-health-facts-about-coffee-125136