Top 5 Reasons To Drink More Coffee
Are we coffee addicts?
- 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day.
- Americans drink over 3 cups of coffee per day on average (regular 8 oz. cup)
- 65% Americans drink coffee with breakfast
- The U.S spends $40 Billion on coffee every year
- Coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world behind oil
Why is this beverage so popular and is it healthy? Here are some reasons to continue to have a cup of JOE.
1. Coffee Can Lessen Your Risk Of Diabetes
- 25.8 million children and adults in the United States(About 8.3% of the population) have diabetes.
- Antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and magnesium found in coffee can improve sensitivity to insulin and may contribute to lowering risk of type 2 diabitie.s
- In a recent study conducted by the Harvard school of public health subjects who drank more than six cups of caffeinated coffee per day reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by more than 50 percent compared to men in the study who didn’t drink coffee.
- In 2009, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that people who drank the most coffee seemed to have the lowest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That study reported that with each cup of coffee consumed daily, the risk of type 2 diabetes dropped by 7 percent.
2. Coffee Can Boost Your Metabolism
- Caffeine, the best know ingredient in regular coffee, can raise blood sugar and increase energy expenditure in the short-term
- Some studies suggest coffee can increase metabolism by 10%
- Be aware that a sugar-filled, flavored coffee can up calorie count and might actually slow down your metabolism (thanks to the sugar), shich seems a bit counterproductive.
3. Coffee Can Enhance Fat Oxidation
- Caffeine increases the level of circulating fatty acids. This has been shown to increase the oxidation of these fuels, hence enhancing fat oxidation.
- Caffeine has been used for years by runners and endurance people to enhance fatty acid metabolism. It’s particularly effective in those who are not habitual users.
- Coffee can also enhance lyposis-the ability to burn fat. (see study below)
4. Coffee Boosts Performance And Can Decrease Fatigue
- Caffeine is the most versatile and effective ergogenic aid (i.e. something that enhances exercise performance).
- A prominent exercise physiologist, David Costill, Ph.D., performed the ground-breaking study on caffeine and exercise 26 years ago.He took nine competitive cyclists (two females and seven males) and had them bike until exhaustion at 80% of V02 max. (Note: V02 max, also known as maximal oxygen uptake, is a measure of how well your cardiopulmonary system functions).
- Each subject consumed coffee containing 330mg (between 1-3, 8 ounce cups) of caffeine 60 min before the exercise or a placebo (decaffeinated coffee). Following the ingestion of caffeine, the subjects were able to perform an average of 90 minutes of cycling as compared to an average of 76 minutes in the placebo trial. This reflects an 18% increase! They also found that subjects burned more fat (aka lipolysis) as shown by measurements of plasma free fatty acids, glycerol and respiratory exchange ratios. In fact, fat oxidation or burning was significantly higher (107% greater) during the caffeine trial (118 g or 1.31 g/min) than in the placebo trial (57 g or 0.75 g/min). Also, the perception of effort was much less in subjects after consuming subjects indicating that exercise felt easier.(3)
- Caffeine, which helps muscles use fatty acids for energy and blunts the effect of adenosine, can extend the time before muscles fatigue.
5. Coffee Can Increase Mental Alertness
- Coffee contains a significant amount of caffeine, a widely used central nervous stimulant.
- Our brain is the first organ affected by caffeine, where it interferes with the action of the neurotransmitter adenosine. Adenosine has a calming effect on the brain, so the result of its interaction with caffeine is increased alertness and wakefulness.
- Caffeine affects the adrenal glands, stimulating the release of two adrenal hormones, cortisol and adrenaline — also known as hydrocortisone and epinephrine. These two hormones act to increase alertness and awareness.
What to drink
- Medium roast/filtered coffee
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Unflavored
- No additives
- No Sugar and No Cream
Conclusion
As you can tell, most of coffee’s benefits come in the form of antioxidants and its number one ingredient, caffeine. I have always been a proponent of eating and drinking things in their most natural state. That is why I will always suggest or recommend black coffee over a caffeine supplement such as an energy drink, energy shot, or energy powder. With little to no research about the energy drink market and their side effects, ( especially the long-term health effects) your best bet is to stick with coffee.
Final Thoughts
I never used to be an early riser. Ever since I started drinking coffee about 3 year ago I have found it much easier to get out of bed knowing I am going to have a great breakfast followed by a cup of coffee. Beyond the health benefits, coffee gives people something to look forward to on those cold rainy mornings. There is also the social aspect of coffee drinking that is added bonus. With the prevalence of phones, internet, and TV, having a cup of coffee with a friend, family, or stranger gives you a chance to put your technology dominated life on hold and have a good ole fashioned conversation over a healthy beverage.
Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any comments or questions.
From South Bend,
Kevin Deeth 