Coffee intake is typically related to stress, sleep deprivation, or simply taste. Many of us, who like coffee, consume it because we know it'll wake us up in the morning and because it'll somehow make us feel significantly better after having one cup. It turns out that not only does it work wonders but there are actually some benefits of drinking it — which makes coffee all the better.
1. Can coffee make you smarter?
Some studies show that coffee can make you "smarter," by allowing you "to use what brain power you have in a much more efficient and focused way." According to CNN, coffee blocks neurotransmitters that normally calm the brain and cause sleepy feelings. In other words: coffee is the best study companion — especially if you're sleep deprived.
2. Coffee is known to improve your mood, energy levels, and numerous aspects of brain functions.
In recent studies, scientists found that caffeine allows athletes, and anyone in general, "to invest effort" and energy into their training or work, because caffeine increases epinephrine in your blood. It is even said to be beneficial before a workout.
3. Sometimes drinking coffee isn't even required, because just the smell of it can allow you to feel less stressed.
Researcher Han-Seok Seo, and some colleagues, conducted a study in which stressed and sleep-deprived rats inhaled the smell of coffee. They found that the rats' genes "expressed proteins that have healthful antioxidant properties known to protect nerve cells from stress-related damage," whereas rats that didn't inhale the aroma did not express the same results.
4. It can reduce the risk of MS.
It is proven that coffee can reduce the risk of having multiple sclerosis. In a recent study, those who drank a large amount of java were one-third less likely to develop MS. According to researcher Anna Hedström at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, they "observed a significant association between high consumption of coffee and decreased risk of developing MS."
5. Coffee can lower the chances of having Type II Diabetes.
Coffee can help reduce your chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown "that people who drink four or more cups of coffee daily have a 50 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes." Also, with every additional cup, the risk is lowered by as much as 7 percent.
6. Your liver health can be improved by coffee.
Researchers have found that those who consume three or more cups of coffee every day had lower levels of abnormal liver enzymes. Lead Researcher Qian Xiao from the National Cancer Institute, stated that "ingredients in coffee, other than caffeine, may promote liver health." Another study also shows that coffee can reduce the risk of cirrhosis, a damaged liver typically caused by alcohol abuse.
7. Parkinson's disease and coffee.
According to CBS News, a study showed that coffee may reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms as well. In a press release, study author Dr. Ronald Postuma stated that "studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease."
8. Coffee can make you feel happier.
According to a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, coffee can lead to living a more positive life. It is said that "coffee's mood-lifting effect might be traced to its antioxidants" by lead researcher Honglei Chen, who is an epidemiologist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Coffee stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which "produces the euphoria and pleasant feelings that people often associate with their first cup of coffee in the morning."
So what's not to like about coffee?
