The opinions have always been divided whether coffee is good for your health or not.
As with just about everything you eat, drink, or do, the secret is in balance and moderation.
In the past, research often didn’t set apart the negative effects of coffee from smoking, because so many coffee drinkers were also smokers. This has now changed and given us information we didn’t have in the past.
We also need to keep in mind that the health benefits described in this article refer to drinking coffee as a whole, not just caffeinated beverages.
Coffee is only 2% caffeine and 98% other bio-active ingredients.
Coffee may protect against diabetes, liver cancer, cirrhosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Diabetes – Coffee, regular and decaf, can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. The ingredients in coffee slow the uptake of sugar in the intestines, boost insulin, and help slow glucose absorption.
Liver Cancer – While research hasn’t come up with much on the prevention of cancer in general, liver cancer has been the exception. Research is very consistent in showing a drop in liver cancer risk with coffee consumption. There is some evidence that it may lower colon cancer risk as well.
Cirrhosis – Here researchers aren’t sure whether it is coffee or caffeine that might protect the liver from cirrhosis, especially when caused by alcoholism.
Parkinson’s Disease – It is definitely the caffeine that protects from this disease and more effectively in men than in women (when not on hormone replacement therapy). All it takes is one cup of coffee a day to cut your risk in half.
Athletic and Mental Performance – Caffeine has always been known to improve athletic performance, but has a better effect if not used regularly. The same applies to better mental performance. So drink up before athletic events or tests at school.
Enjoy a cup of coffee a day guilt-free!
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