The benefits of coffee: what are the positive effects of coffee?

It improves concentration

One of the major benefits of coffee is that it helps to improve concentration levels. This is because coffee contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant in the central nervous system.

What’s more, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) points out that moderate coffee consumption can have a positive impact on brain health. To illustrate this claim, they refer to an article published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, which found that those who drink one to two cups of coffee a day are less likely to experience cognitive problems than those who never drink coffee.

The key point here is that it should be consumed in moderation, because there are also many studies that highlight the negative effects of coffee when consumed in excess. 

It has antioxidant properties

Coffee is rich in antioxidants such as chlorogenic acids and polyphenols. These contribute to maintaining good skin health, and serve to prevent a wide range of diseases.

The Cleveland Clinic talks about this, highlighting the benefits of coffee, especially its antioxidant properties. This is extremely important, as some of the components of coffee can help prevent free radical damage to the body's cells.

Free radicals are linked to ageing and the development of certain diseases. Precisely because of this, many studies suggest that coffee consumption can delay the signs of ageing, and help to keep people healthy. 

It reduces the risk of developing certain diseases

Recent studies on the benefits of coffee have shown that, in many cases, drinking coffee is linked to a lower risk of developing certain chronic diseases. In fact, Mayo Clinic claims that a moderate intake of caffeine can help prevent diseases such as:

• Parkinson’s disease.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Liver disease, including liver cancer.
• Heart attacks.
• Strokes.

This is one of the most important health benefits of coffee and it also dispels all earlier beliefs about its negative effects, even when consumed in small amounts. Clearly coffee has both advantages and disadvantages, but it does have a significant impact on some aspects of our health. 

It improves our mood

Coffee helps to lift our overall mood by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are often associated with a sense of well-being and a more positive state of mind.

The AARP, referring to a Harvard Medical School study, says that coffee could reduce the risk of depression by up to a third. Depression affects millions of people around the world, and while coffee is not a cure for it, it can help at times to make people feel better.

This happens thanks to the antioxidants in coffee that we mentioned earlier, which have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, especially on the brain. This is directly related to mental health and emotional well-being. However, if you are experiencing problems with depression or anxiety the best thing to do is to visit a doctor. 

It boosts performance when exercising 

Caffeine, one of the main components of coffee, has a positive effect on the body and can help enhance physical performance when exercising. Caffeine functions as a stimulant, activating alertness, and increasing energy and endurance.

An article published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition states that low-dose caffeine intake can improve performance, endurance, lung ventilation and oxygen saturation.

It also reduces the perception of exertion, making it easier to exercise. People who consume coffee have additional motivation to stay active and extend physical activity sessions. 

It stimulates our metabolism 

Another benefit of drinking coffee is that it stimulates our metabolism, which can be very useful for those who want to lose weight or want to reach their healthy weight.

This happens because coffee increases the basal metabolic rate, that is, the number of calories the body burns at rest. It also promotes the mobilization of fatty acids stored in fat cells, and increases the rate of fat oxidation in the body.

For this to be effective, people also need to have a balanced diet and do some physical activity on a regular basis. In other words, coffee can help with weight loss, but only if combined with a healthy lifestyle.

It should also be mentioned that coffee can suppress people's appetite, creating a temporary sense of feeling full and helping to reduce daily calorie intake. 

It regulates blood sugar levels

We have already stated several times that coffee is good for our health, but it is important to highlight the impact it has on the people who drink it. To this end, it is worth mentioning that drinking coffee helps to regulate blood sugar levels, something that John Hopkins Hospital considers essential to prevent type 2 diabetes.

However, this is not true of just any coffee, as most coffee shops add ingredients that can be detrimental to our health, such as sugar, sweeteners and whipped cream.

It is important to learn to choose the right type of coffee as some are far from healthy. Some types of coffee are even made with roasted sugar, so check the nutritional information carefully, and take the time to choose the right one. 

It has anti-inflammatory properties

We already briefly mentioned that coffee has anti-inflammatory properties, but let's go into more detail and explain what impact this has on people's health.

The first thing to bear in mind is that the antioxidants present in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid, suppress the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. As a result, it has been found that regular coffee drinkers have lower levels of certain inflammatory proteins in their blood.

This not only improves people's health, but also makes them less likely to develop some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. 

It plays an important role in social interactions

When it comes to the benefits of coffee, we cannot overlook the part it plays in social interactions. All over the world, and throughout history, coffee has encouraged social encounters, cultural exchange, and has been a symbol of hospitality.

Sharing a cup of coffee can help you have conversations with friends, family or people you have just met. It is the perfect excuse to get together and share enjoyable moments.

In fact, coffee shops play a very important role in our social life today. They are where people meet to study, work, socialize or disconnect from everyday life.

So, now you know what exactly what to say the next time someone asks you about the benefits of coffee. Just remember what we talked about in this article, and try to apply it to your daily life.