According to the National Coffee Association 64% of US adults drink coffee every day and 82% of them drink it in the morning. So, you are not alone in craving that morning cup.
Is your coffee vice a healthy habit? Turns out it is. For once, something we love and enjoy is also good for us. Drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day means you will probably live longer than those who do not drink any coffee. Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, drinking coffee is more often associated with benefits for a wide range of health concerns.
Drinking coffee consistently is associated with a lower risk for all types of heart disease with the largest reduction in risk seen in those that drink 3 cups a day. Drinking more coffee does not increase the benefit but also appears to cause little harm.
Drinking coffee lowers the risk for a number of cancers including prostate, endometrial, melanoma, skin cancer and liver cancer.
Coffee is especially protective of the liver reducing the risk for liver fibrosis (thickening and scarring of tissues), cirrhosis (scar tissue damage), and chronic liver disease.
Those who drink coffee have a lowered risk for type 2 diabetes, gallstones, gout and kidney stones. And, we are seeing a positive association between coffee drinking and Parkinson’s disease, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
But with all good news there is always some bad news. Coffee may increase the risk for fractures in women but the association is modest and may only occur when calcium intake is low. Men who drink coffee, however, have a lower risk of breaking a bone.
Many weight loss aids contain caffeine claiming it will act like an appetite suppressant. Drinking black coffee has been suggested as well. Sadly, neither work.
