Two Unexpected Reasons Coffee Drinkers Should Rejoice
| 2 min read
You might already feel pretty happy about your two-mug-a-day coffee habit — the well-known benefits of regularly drinking a cup of Joe include protection against Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes and liver disease. There is also evidence that caffeine is a healthy antioxidant that can protect you against heart disease and Alzheimer’s. But there are two lesser-known perks that will make you feel even better about brewing your morning pot.
A longer life: A recent study found that men and women who drank three or more cups of coffee per day had a 10 percent lower risk of death compared to people who did not drink coffee at all. When researchers looked at the data more specifically, they found that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of dying from many different diseases: stroke, respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes and more.
A happier life: Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that if a woman drinks four or more cups of caffeinated coffee a day, her risk of depression is reduced by 20 percent compared to those who drink little or no java. The more caffeine consumed, the lower the depression risk. And it was caffeinated coffee specifically that saw this mood boost — it out-performed decaf coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks and chocolate. While this study looked at women, earlier studies have found a similar benefit for men who drink caffeinated coffee.
Need even more reason to lose the guilt over your coffee habit? Recently, the nation’s top nutrition panel came out in favor of people drinking coffee. The panel said that drinking as many as five cups a day is tied to several health benefits, such as a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Even better news is that Michigan’s coffee scene has never been more vibrant. Check out these posts to learn about some of the great coffee roasters and shops in the state:
Photo credit: Kathy Kimpel
