Coffee: Those Happy Little Beans

Coffee, a drink that has grown on me over the past year (ironically enough), is a favorite among many. And I am not talking about coffee that is full of sugars, syrups, and creams. Some love black coffee, others cannot tolerate it. Of which is perfectly okay! If there is a food or drink that does not sit well with your body (does not make you feel good, i.e., digestive discomfort, sluggishness, migraines, etc.), you do not have to consume that food or drink. Listen to your body when something does not feel right; you know you the best. For those of you that enjoy your coffee, or if you are simply interested in learning something new, keep reading to learn the benefits that come with enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

Nutrition Facts

Coffee itself comes from the earth. The coffee bean that is used to brew coffee is the pit of the coffee cherry. There are no macro benefits from drinking coffee (i.e., carbs, protein, fat, calories). However, drinking one cup of black coffee contains:

Health Benefits

Improved Energy Levels and Mood

We all know that caffeine is the energy boost people prefer to get their day going, including myself. However, caffeine is not so much an energy boost as it is a mental enhancer. Caffeine is a stimulant that blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is naturally produced in the brain. In doing so, this allows other neurotransmitters to increase in the brain. This includes dopamine and norepinephrine. Therefore, this enhances neuron function and improves energy, mood, and other brain functions.

Boosts the Metabolic Rate

Caffeine is one of few natural substances that can help to improve the body’s metabolic rate. Therefore, drinking coffee can help the body burn fat.

Caffeine also improves physical performance. Essentially, caffeine increases adrenaline (epinephrine) levels in the blood. At the same time, caffeine can stimulate the nervous system to send signals to the fat cells in the body to release fatty acids from those tissues. As a result, physical performance increases.

Is Good for the Brain

The neurological stimulation that occurs may protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Along with actively living a healthful life, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, drinking black coffee may also help to provide those same benefits. The steps that can be taken now to prevent potential disease is very important. This is especially true for diseases that do not have any known cure, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Coffee and Your Heart

It is important to note that, according to Healthline, studies do not reflect the misconception that coffee increase the chance of developing heart disease. Studies do show, however, that there is a decreased risk of stroke for people who drink coffee.

Let’s Chat!

What are your thoughts on coffee? Let me know in the comments down below!

Related: Valentine’s Day Special: Chocolate!

References:

13 Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science – written by Kris Gunnars BSc

Is Coffee A Fruit? The Surprising Truth About Your Morning Cup – written by Alexandra