Can’t function before you’ve had your first-thing coffee fix?
You’re not alone. According tothe Institute for
Scientific Information on Coffee 67% of us can’t imagine
life without coffee. But with warnings about the dangers of
drinking too much caffeine growing ever louder, it’s difficult not
to get coffee-guilt. Thankfully, though, it turns out that supping
a daily cup actually has some pretty big benefits. So in honour
of UK Coffee
Week, we’re spilling the beans about why your caffeine hit
might not be so bad after all….
It can boost your
workout
OK maybe not the full fat mocha with whipped cream and
marshmallows, but studies have shown coffee consumption increases
adrenaline, which can help increase physical performance. “Caffeine
stimulates the nervous system into producing natural forms of
adrenaline,” explains Luke Thornton health and wellness instructor
for Discount
Supplements. “This in turns sends signals to the fat cells
in your body to break down fat for energy.”
Louise Johnston, Head Nutritionist at Results with
Lucy suggests having a strong black coffee as a
pre-workout drink because it increases the blood flow to the
muscles which in turn gives you better results. “The increased
blood flow will also give you more energy to utilise in your
workouts and up the oxygen levels in your blood which can help
benefit your heart.”
And it can keep you going longer on the treadmill too. “Studies
show that supplementation of caffeine (between 3-6mg/kg) is
effective in reducing perceived exertion, meaning that a six-minute
mile feels like a seven-minute mile,” explains Pamela Nisevich Bede
a sports nutritionist for global healthcare company Abbott.
We’re spilling the beans on the health benefits of your daily
cuppa *groans*[Photo: pixabay.com via Pexels]
It can improve your
memory
Forget those brain-training apps, studies have found that moderate
coffee intake can help boost memory and cognitive performance due
to the levels of caffeine. “Caffeine acts as a stimulant,” explains
Luke Thornton health and wellness instructor for Discount
Supplements. “When we drink caffeine rich liquids like coffee
our brains block the inhibitory neurotransmitter Adenosine.
Adenosine is the energy molecule attached to sugars. When this
happens our bodies other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine (a
chemical naturally produced like a hormone) and dopamine (a
precursor to adrenaline) increase and the body starts to
produce more and fire these into the blood stream. In turn this
improves brain function, memory, mood, energy and reaction
times.”
It makes you more intelligent (sort
of)
Need to impress your boss? Grab a cup of the black stuff
pre-meeting. “Drinking coffee in moderation, boosts blood
circulation and its flow to the brain because of the high caffeine
content,” explains Frida Harju, in-house nutritionist at leading
health and fitness app,Lifesum “Not
only does it make you more alert and therefore better able to take
in new information it improves your brain’s capability to form new
short term memories. The benefits have been shown to be effective
for up to 24 hours, so great if you are cramming for exams.”
Can’t cope without
your caffeine-fix? Its better for you than you think [Photo:
stokpic.com via Pexels]
It can help you lose weight
Not only is it super
low-cal, coffee can also help you shift the pounds faster. “Black
coffee is a really good choice for its low calorie content,”
explains nutritionist Frida Harju. “Most importantly, the caffeine
in coffee can help to speed up your metabolism, making the rate at
which your body burns fat faster. One or two cups a day has been
shown to make a difference.”
It makes you happier
There’s a reason that
waft of coffee makes it so much easier to face the morning. “The
smell of coffee alone can have a positive effect on people,”
explains Frida Harju. “Caffeine has a reputation among researchers
as a vitality and happiness booster. It has also been shown that
the chemical reactions caused by caffeine on our brain, may well
have a positive impact in the fight against depression.
Additionally, the presence of antioxidants in coffee also
contribute to making us feel happier.”
Aside from helping
you function in the morning there are other health benefits to
your daily cup of joe [Photo: stock.tookapic.com via
Pexels]
It can help protect against
Alzheimers
According to
the Institute
of Scientific Information on Coffee, research suggests
regular, life-long moderate coffee consumption at 3-5 cups per day
is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s
Disease, with evidence suggesting that coffee drinkers can reduce
their risk of developing the disease by up to 20%.
It’s good for your heart
Recent research has
shown that drinking coffee in moderation (approximately 3-5 cups
per day) may in fact protect you against heart disease. “Coffee has
been shown to achieve this by helping you avoid the build-up of
coronary artery calcium which can clog up your arteries, leading to
an increased risk of heart attack,” explains Frida Harju.
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