Coffee. It sometimes gets a bit of bad press with its "sinner status" in the caffeine world...
But is it really as bad as we think? Check out our 5 reasons why coffee is great for you.
1. It can help your workouts
Find yourself flagging halfway through a tough workout? Coffee could be the answer. When we workout, our body uses glycogen as energy. Caffeine has been shown to slow the release of glycogen, encouraging the body to burn fat as fuel instead. Bonus.
2. It can increase liver health
A recent review suggested that those who drank moderate levels of coffee were less likely to suffer from liver cirrhosis or abnormal liver function. However, this is not an excuse to hit the booze...
3. It could make you enjoy exercise more
We've already heard how coffee can help you push through those tough workouts, but can it really make working out more enjoyable? A study that researched a group of endurance cyclists found that caffeine drinkers experienced lower perceived exertion levels and higher pleasure levels compared to the decaf drinkers.
4. It can help you live longer
A study from Harvard University has suggested that 3 cups of coffee can help protect you from premature death as a result of diseases such as Parkinsons, Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. The study found that, compared with less or no coffee drinking, moderate coffee consumption was associated with a significant reduced risk of death across a range of causes.
5. It can help your brain stay sharp
A recent study suggests that participants who drank three to five cups of coffee per day were 65% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or dementia later on in life.
So, there's 5 reasons why coffee can in fact be pretty great for your body. However, before you give yourself a free pass to unlimited coffee every day, remember that the effects of caffeine can vary from person to person, and it's advised to not drink anymore than 4-5 cups a day. Also remember that not all coffee is created equal. Syrup sugar and cream laden coffee is not part of the package.
