Is coffee healthy for you? Most coffee enthusiasts sip for the flavor, aroma, and effects, but coffee’s numerous health benefits are worth exploring. Countless studies have shown that consuming coffee in moderation can boost your physical, mental, and emotional health. Pour yourself a cup, and sip along as we make the case for coffee!
Moderation Is Key
Before we highlight coffee’s main health benefits, it’s important to note that coffee can also be unhealthy if you consume too much of it. The FDA recommends that adults keep their caffeine consumption under 400 milligrams per day. An 8-ounce cup of coffee typically has around 95-200 milligrams of caffeine, so a few cups would be the maximum ideal daily coffee intake.
Is coffee good for you if you stay within the recommended limits? Absolutely! Here’s why.
Packed With Antioxidants
Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and cause oxidative stress, which can lead to many health problems.
Coffee is often overlooked as an antioxidant powerhouse, but an average cup typically contains around 200–550 mg of potent antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, phenolic acids, melanoidins, and trigonelline. To put that in perspective, a glass of red wine typically has 150–400 mg of antioxidants.
May Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Studies have shown that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity, protecting liver and beta cell function, and reducing inflammation.
Is coffee good for you if you already have type 2 diabetes? In that case, you would need to speak with a healthcare professional. Although coffee doesn’t affect the blood sugar levels of most healthy adults, caffeine can affect how your body processes insulin.
May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Depending on the type of cancer, coffee may be a valuable addition to your preventative diet. Coffee contains anti-inflammatory agents and polyphenolic antioxidants that have been shown to lower the risk of certain types of cancer, including colon, liver, and endometrial cancers.
Good For Your Heart
Although drinking excessive amounts of caffeine can be detrimental to your heart, studies suggest that moderate amounts can actually reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Is coffee good for you in large quantities? No, regularly consuming more than the FDA recommended amount of caffeine may have the opposite effect, increasing the risk of heart complications. Again, moderation is key.
Promotes Weight Loss
Is coffee healthy for you if you’re trying to lose weight? Research suggests that coffee can boost your metabolism, helping your body to burn fat faster. Coffee can also suppress your appetite so you eat less. And, studies have shown that people who consume caffeine before exercising typically burn more calories.
Improves Cognitive Function
Coffee is famous for its stimulating effect, but that buzz does more than just prevent sleepiness. Is coffee good for you as a brain booster? Yes, studies have shown that people who drink coffee regularly are less likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Research also suggests that it improves other aspects of your mental health, such as memory, reaction time, and alertness.
Supports Liver Health
Regular coffee consumption has been linked to lower levels of abnormal liver enzymes, including ALP, AST, ALT, and GGT. Coffee can also help to soothe inflammation, slow scar tissue growth, and break down glucose, preventing fat from building up over time. Coffee can also initiate autophagy, which is a bodily process that removes damaged and unnecessary cells.
May Increase the Risk of Pregnancy Complications
Is coffee good for you if you’re pregnant? In this case, it may be best to stop consuming coffee, or at least switch to decaf coffee. Studies have linked the consumption of caffeine with an increased risk of pregnancy loss, especially when consumed in large quantities. The reason is that the caffeine can actually reach the developing fetus, which can disrupt fetal sleep patterns and inhibit growth and development.
How to Make Your Coffee Healthier
If you’re interested in drinking coffee for health reasons, we highly recommend specialty coffee beans. Not only do high-quality beans taste better, but they tend to be less acidic and richer in antioxidants. Better beans naturally lead to better health!
You should also think about add-ins. Is coffee good for you if you’re loading it up with sugar? Unsurprisingly, using healthier ingredients, like natural sweeteners, drastically improves the health benefits.You can also add health-boosting ingredients, like honey, coconut oil, collagen powder, cinnamon, or cocoa.
Timing matters, too! Studies have shown that drinking coffee in the morning (between 4 AM and noon) rather than throughout the day is linked to a 16% reduction in the risk of early death and a 31% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Experience the Health Benefits of Specialty Coffees
It’s clear that a moderate amount of coffee is good for you and can work wonders for your health. We covered the main benefits, but there are plenty of others, too! The quality of your coffee directly impacts your health benefits.
From Black Honey coffee from Brazil to our Ethiopia coffee beans, our single-origin coffees are some of the best in the world. While each variety is unique, they’re ethically and sustainably sourced from the top coffee-growing regions. We offer a selection of traditional and exotic coffee bean varieties so you can find your go-to favorite or try something new.
Beyond the physical health benefits, don’t underestimate the power of feeling good as part of your wellness strategy. Your mental and emotional health directly affect your physical health, too. The mind-body connection is real. Experience farm-to-cup coffee, and make your morning ritual part of your long-term health plan.
