It’s a Cup of Coffee for the Win!
I don’t know how many of you are like me. I love my coffee. And for those of you who know me well I may have a little bit of a struggle until I have that first cup. I used to drink my coffee with flavored creamer but within the last few years I have gravitated towards plain black. Pour me a cup of strong French Roast in the morning and just the smell lifts my spirits.
Last week science supported my love for “liquid sunshine.” A recent study, presented at the annual European Society of Cardiology, found that drinking up to three cups of coffee a day may protect your heart. But there is a caveat it must be plain black coffee to reap the benefits. Meaning you can’t add that sugar or that special holiday creamer.
In people who had no diagnosis of heart disease regular drinking a half cup to three cups of coffee daily were at a decreased risk of death from heart disease, stroke and early death from any cause when compared to non-coffee drinkers. The key is it had to be black caffeinated coffee.
This adds to the benefits touted by several studies over the years of coffee drinking. Other studies have shown coffee drinkers may be protected from type II diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and back pain.
Even Johns Hopkins has identified nine reasons coffee may be good for you. The full article can be accessed at hopkinsmedicine.org. But in brief I have included the nine reasons to continue to love that steamy cup.
- You could live longer.
- You body may process glucose better
- You’re less likely to develop heart failure.
- You’re less likely to develop Parkinson’s.
- Your liver will thank you.
- Your DNA will be stronger.
- Your risk of colon cancer will go way down.
- You may decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- You’re not as likely to suffer a stroke.
In a world where we are continually inundated with all the things that we do that are unhealthy it is nice to hear that there may be some benefits to this morning staple. So as with everything in life, raise your morning cup in happy moderation.
