Between a cup of coffee and a red bull, is it the red bull that is really giving you wings? Not exactly because the main ingredient in red bull is caffeine.
Caffeine is such an ingredient that it is also used in certain headache medication simply because of its cognitive properties that stimulate the brain helping you stay awake, focus and concentrate.
The morning cup of coffee is so very important for people around the world without which not many would be able to function. But coffee is simply taken for granted and we never question how good or bad is it. How much should we drink and how much we shouldn’t. So let’s find out.
1The main ingredients in coffee
Caffeine is the main stimulant in coffee. Theobromine the active ingredient in cocoa is also found in coffee and increases metabolism. Theophylline is also a stimulant found both in coffee and cocoa. Chlorogenic acid is an active compound in coffee that decreases the absorption of carbs.
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Caffeine is also found in food items
There are a number of food items that contain caffeine like soft drinks, chocolate and tea. But there is nothing that can compare to coffee where caffeine is concerned. Coffee remains on top of the list as the primary source of caffeine.
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3Here’s the type of nutrients coffee contains
Did you even once think if there is any nutrition in coffee or not. Many coffee drinkers have been led to believe that by default coffee may be bad but yet they just have to drink it. You’ll be surprised to know that coffee too has its fair share of vitamins and minerals, more than you could ever contemplate. The below mentioned ingredients are contained in one cup of coffee which will give you more antioxidants than fruits and veggies.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): RDA 2% (RDA means recommended dietary allowance)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): RDA 11%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): RDA 2%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): RDA 6%
- Folate: RDA 1%
- Manganese: RDA 3%
- Potassium: RDA 3%
- Magnesium: RDA 2%
- Phosphorus: RDA 1%
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4Coffee increases metabolism
Coffee has several health benefits. Given the fact that too much of a good thing is bad, drinking in moderation will give you all of its health advantages such as an improved metabolism. The rate at which your body burns calories is your resting metabolic rate. Studies have proved that caffeine increases this rate by 3 to 11%. What is interesting to note is that the increase is mostly related to fat burning in the body. However, the same study also found the effect was less pronounced in obese people.
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5Coffee can help you burn fat
As you read above, coffee increases the fat burning process in the body. It is also a nerve stimulant that signals fat cells to start breaking down fat. It first increases the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) in the blood which then reaches fat tissues to inform them to start breaking down and releasing fat into the blood. However, if you consume more calories by eating, this process may not help you lose fat. Studies found that caffeine increased fat burn by 29% in lean people and just 10% in overweight people. Its effect also decreases with age.
But be warned. Do not think by drinking excess coffee, you may burn more fat by increasing this process. Instead, your body may be overstimulated which is why you may have observed why you feel hyperactive, possibly irritable and a bunch of nerves after consuming too much coffee without activity.
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Increases short-term brain functioning
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The reason why many people drink coffee while working is that it helps them focus and concentrate, but then again, this is a short-term effect of coffee and should not be relied on for longer intervals. Continuously drinking coffee throughout the day isn’t advisable.
Studies have found that caffeine can improve short-term brain function because it blocks adenosine that decreases neuron activity in the brain. However, it also stimulates the CNS or central nervous system by releasing neurotransmitters like noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Incidentally, the second two are known as happy hormones that improve mood. So it’s only logical to assume that coffee improves mood too.
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7Alzheimer’s risk is reduced
Studies have found that coffee can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 65%. Alzheimer’s is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that affect almost 500,000 people in the USA every year. While studies provided a mixed response to the effects of coffee on all cognitive impairment diseases, it was found to be most effective in reducing the risk of Alzheimers over dementia which requires more study.
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8It reduces the risk of Parkinson’s
Ronald Postuma MD and his team had published an interesting study that found how drinking coffee in moderation reduced the risks of Parkinson’s and could improve the motor symptoms of the disease.
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9Regular coffee consumption reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is caused by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. Almost 300 million people are affected by this lifestyle disease. Coffee drinkers drinking moderate amounts of coffee can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by23-67%. However again there is mixed responses for those already with the condition where it was found that caffeine decreased insulin sensitivity and could increase sugar levels in the blood. It means that if you don’t have diabetes, then black coffee can reduce your risk of the disease but if you already have it, caution is advised and it is best to consult with your doctor.
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10Reduces risk of liver disease
High consumption of alcohol and sugar is now making liver disease a common affair. When scar tissue starts forming on the liver, it means the end stages of the disease because the liver isn’t regenerating and cirrhosis sets in. Regular coffee consumption has been found to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis by 84%.
Although studies have found that drinking BLACK coffee reduces the risk of liver disease and could also undo some of the damage caused by alcohol, it is still unknown what ingredient in coffee causes the benefit to the liver.
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