Coffee has been consumed around the world for ages. The world leaders in coffee consumption are the Scandinavian countries, with Finland no.1, Sweden next, followed by Norway and Denmark with the United States trailing far behind at no. 27 on the list! The world loves its coffee and research has found some very good health reasons why we should love it and drink it!
Speaking of coffee drinkers in Finland, a study done there in 2009 found that people who drank 3-5 cups of coffee a day had a 65% decreased risk of developing Alzheimer disease. We always knew that drinking coffee made us more alert and helped us do better on cognitive tests, but the results of this Finnish study were a real boon to Alzheimer disease research.
In addition, several years ago, a Harvard University questioned whether coffee had any effect on type 2 diabetes. It was found that, indeed, several cups of coffee a day can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These findings were not related entirely to the caffeine content as decaffeinated versions also showed protective benefits, however, less so.
Coffee, like black, green and white teas, has rather strong antioxidant properties to it. It contains antioxidants like chlorogenic acid and magnesium which help improve insulin sensitivity which likely accounts for its anti-diabetic effect.
Coffee also contains chemical compounds theophylline and alkaloids which work to relax smooth muscles, as well as inflammation reducing properties. This may be why a 2008 study showed that coffee prevented strokes in men who smoked, but also drank 8 cups of coffee, or black tea, a day.
In yet two other studies called the Nurses’ Health Study and The Health Professionals Study, male and female participants were studied for 25 years. The results showed that people who drank coffee were far more likely to live into old age! That’s right! People who drank 4 cups of coffee a day were found much less likely to die in middle age, especially women. It also concluded that women who drank 2-3 cups of coffee a day had a 25% lower chance of dying from heart disease as well. Men, too, had lowered risks but not as much as women.
In addition to those listed above, other benefits afforded by coffee include:
- Boosts metabolism, appetite control and weight loss
- Helps ease certain headaches
- Lifts mood
- May contribute to decreased risk of some cancers
- Can help certain heart rhythm problems
Mark Rosenberg, M.D. Institute For Healthy Aging
