Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Its total consumption per year is 400 billion cups. With such soaring use, one would beg to differ on whether the beverage has a high risk or gain to its drinkers. It is a relatively safe beverage, with the most dangerous adverse effects being anxiety and the jitters. However, many people are surprised to learn that their favorite beverage has some positive medical benefits! When taken in moderation, the benefits of coffee could lead you to live a healthier life.
Coffee and Diabetes
According to researchers at UCLA, coffee can help people protect themselves against type 2 diabetes, which is possible because drinking coffee increases the level of plasma in sex hormone-binding globulin. Globulin controls the biological activity of sex hormones found in both female and male bodies. These hormones play a critical role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
One of the authors of the UCLA studies, Dr. Simin Liu, reported that there exists an inverse relationship between the amount of coffee one can take and the risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Data gathered from more than three studies by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health support the UCLA studies. The researchers found out that taking at least two cups of coffee a day in about four years reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 11%.
Coffee and Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disease that mostly affects the elderly. Numerous studies on Parkinson’s shows a positive correlation between caffeine intake and the disease. These studies have often concluded that higher consumption of coffee is significantly associated with fewer occurrences of Parkinson’s disease.
Similar studies conducted by McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC), a research institute and published in the Neurology journal, state that caffeine in coffee helps people with the disease control their movement.
Coffee and Liver Cancer
Italian researchers found out that coffee consumption among individuals lowers their chances of getting liver cancer. Their findings quantified the risk reduction factor by a whopping 40%. They also concluded that people who drank 3-4 cups of coffee reduced their risks by more than 50%.
Coffee Lowers Liver Diseases
The liver is an integral organ of the body which removes toxins. Coffee consumption reduces the risk of primary sclerosis cholangitis which is a rare liver disease. Alcohol drinkers risk damaging their livers through the condition. the use of coffee reduces the risk by 22%
A 2014 research published in the Journal Hepatology suggests that drinking decaf coffee also lowers liver enzyme levels, indicating that it is not a result of the caffeine.
So fill your cup, and tap into the benefits of coffee today!
