5 health benefits to regularly drinking black coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. When taken black, without any added sugars or creams, coffee can actually be good for your health. This classically brewed beverage doesn’t just give you that much-needed energy boost to perk you up in the morning – it can also provide some surprising health benefits.

Coffee was once on the list of potentially carcinogenic foods. However, it was removed from the list by the World Health Organization in June 2016 after further studies suggested its potential health benefits, such as the possible protective effects of java against certain cancers.

Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee that may be responsible for coffee’s beneficial effects. However, it is important to note that if you’re not careful, you can end up having too much of a good thing. For instance, excessive quantities of caffeine can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety. Coffee and other caffeinated beverages must be taken in moderation if you want to maximize the health benefits they can provide. According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, a healthy recommended amount would be around three to five cups of black coffee per day. (Related: Coffee and tea can keep your heart healthy…but only if you drink in moderation.)

Black coffee can increase your focus and spirit in daily activities

Drinking black coffee can sharpen your brain focus and increase your memory capacity. Since caffeine is a stimulant, it can make your brain cells more active. Active brain cells help keep your memory sharp, improve cognitive function, and make the brain work in a more focused manner. The consumption of black coffee may be linked to a slower cognitive decline in men. It may even be associated with an overall lowered risk of dementia and a reduced deficiency in both cognitive and motor function, both of which are commonly associated with aging.

Black coffee can help improve your mood

Serotonin is one of your body’s major neurotransmitters that regulates your mood. When you drink black coffee, it can promote the production of serotonin. The increased levels of serotonin in your body can then help put you in a good mood. A higher consumption of black coffee may even be associated with a reduced risk of developing depression. Studies show that for each cup of coffee you consume in a day, your risk of depression is lowered by eight percent. Black coffee may even be useful in reducing stress.

Black coffee can help you maintain a healthy liver

Your liver plays an important role in cleansing your body of harmful toxins. Black coffee can help your liver work up to 80 percent in flushing out toxic substances from your body. Regular consumption of coffee in moderate quantities can even help prevent the onset of liver cancer. It can also reduce your risk of other liver conditions, such as liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. For some patients with liver disease, coffee may even slow down the progression of the disease.

Black coffee can reduce your risk of diabetes

Some of the ingredients found in coffee can help lower your risk of diabetes by increasing your resting metabolic rate. Coffee also contains beneficial nutrients that can help your body use insulin, a hormone that removes sugar from your blood and stores it in your cells. Regular coffee drinkers tend to have half the likelihood of developing diabetes than non-coffee drinkers do.

Black coffee can reduce your risk of cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, men who regularly drink coffee have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Black coffee contains active substances that can reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as liver, colon, breast, rectal, and anal cancers.

Learn more about the health benefits of coffee and other foods by going to FoodScience.news.

Sources include:

ArticlesOfHealthcare.com

HealthyEating.SFGate.com

BritishLiverTrust.org.uk

LiveStrong.com