Good News: Coffee is Good For You!

There’s no way to sugar coat it, so I’ll just say it: I love coffee. I love the smell of it and I love the taste of it. In the winter a hot cup of coffee warms me up and calms me down, wrapping me in its coziness. And in the summer, there’s nothing more refreshing to me than a tall drink of iced coffee. I know I’m not the only one, so here’s a free coffee sample for my fellow coffee lovers.

And I always thought I should try not to drink it, feeling like my coffee habit was a guilty pleasure. Doesn’t everyone always say that coffee’s not good for you? Well, as it turns out, “they” happen to be wrong- coffee actually has a whole lot of health benefits, and I’m thrilled to tell you about them!

1. Coffee gives you energy:

That’s no secret, as any coffee drinker knows. How many times do you rely on a good cup of coffee to get you over the afternoon slump? And for a more effective workout, have a cup of coffee about half an hour before you exercise.

2. Coffee boosts your metabolism:

Yup, you read right- coffee can speed up your metabolism and help you burn fat.

3. Coffee can improve brain function:

Coffee drinkers were seen to have improvements in memory, cognitive function, mood, and reaction times.

4. Coffee has lots of antioxidants:

Antioxidants keep your immune system strong and help prevent cancer.

5. Coffee may prevent diabetes:

Studies show that people who drink coffee have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

6. Coffee may help prevent Parkinson’s disease:

In studies, coffee drinkers had a lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease, and in people who already have Parkinson’s, drinking coffee may help control movement.

7. Coffee can lower the risk of heart disease:

Coffee does elevate blood pressure, so if high blood pressure is a problem for you, check with your doctor. But there is a lower risk of heart disease and stroke for coffee drinkers.

8. Coffee protects the liver:

Drinking coffee can lower your risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

9. Coffee is a low-calorie drink:

As long as you don’t load it up with tons of sugar and cream, that is!