Coffee Beans

Hidden Secrets of Your Morning Brew:  The Real Health Benefits of Coffee

You always knew that something so tasty and aromatic as coffee had to be good for you—you just didn’t know why.  You’re not alone; researchers continue to debate the health benefits of coffee.  Read on to discover what we know and what we think we know about coffee:

Caffeine

Caffeine in coffee is considered to be a psychotropic drug of the stimulant variety.  Scientists are unclear about why, but relaxation and stimulation both are associated with the caffeine found in coffee.  Even better is that the caffeine in coffee drinking is associated with increased levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), something the body needs to fight off Alzheimer’s Disease. Other cancer studies didn’t have the same results with warding off cancer cells when using decaffeinated coffee, so it just might be that caffeine—in reasonable amounts—does more than just stimulate us!

Antioxidants

Antioxidants have gained favor in the media of late, and some people are surprised to learn that coffee is a major source of them.  Antioxidants provide protection against heart disease and cancer.  While black tea, bananas, and dry beans also provide lots of antioxidants, you may want to stick with a moderate amount of coffee on your morning commute.

Aromatherapy

It doesn’t take a scientist to tell you that you become just a little happier as a human being when that first whiff of coffee reaches your brain via your nose.  It does take a scientist to tell us that 900 chemicals made up that complex smell.  It doesn’t take many of those 900 chemicals to send messages to your brain via your olfactory nerves that say, “Wake up and start your day!”

Psychological Benefits

Whether it is the ritual of brewing and drinking coffee, the arousing smell, or the comforting warmth of the beverage, something about the act of making and drinking coffee makes us feel better. 

Researchers continue to ask lots of questions about the health benefits of coffee.  What is clear is that you can get the most health benefits from coffee by drinking it only in moderation.  So raise your coffee mug high in the name of science, and take comfort in the fact that something so delicious to drink is also good for you.