We drink coffee in the morning with our coworkers, coffee in the afternoon with a friend to catch up, coffee after dinner with family for dessert, coffee in the evening on a first date. The beauty of coffee is not only the ability to make you feel rejuvenated and an opportunity to bring people together, but it also has some surprisingly proven health benefits when ingested in moderation. Coffee has many antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health. With National coffee day coming up on October 1, we wanted to use this time to educate and celebrate all of coffee’s benefits!

1. Coffee can improve your energy levels

Coffee contains a stimulant called caffeine.When you drink coffee, caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to the brain. In the brain, it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine.When this happens, other neurotransmitters increase, leading to enhanced firing of neurons causing a stimulant effect.

2. Coffee contains many essential nutrients

Coffee beans contain many nutrients including Vitamin B2, B5, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, and Niacin. In some cases, people are drinking multiple cups a day and these nutrients can add up quickly in the body.

3. Coffee may lower your risk of Type 2 Diabetes

While the details may be unknown, several studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a 25-50% lower risk of developing this disease.One study showed that a compound in coffee blocks a substance in the body that plays a role in the development of the disease.

4. Coffee can help you burn fat

The caffeine in coffee can boost your metabolic rate.Some studies have even shown some short term fat-burning qualities.Coffee stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to fat cells to break down body fat.

5. Coffee may improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Studies have shown that caffeine in coffee may sometimes help control movements in people suffering from Parkinson’s.

6. Coffee can improve physical performance

Caffeine in coffee increases epinephrine or also known as adrenaline in the body which causes the well-known “fight or flight” response which makes our bodies ready for possible intense physical exertion.It gives that big energy boost and jumpstarts your metabolism.

7. Coffee may aide in preventing Alzheimer’s disease

There is currently no cure for this disease, but there are several things you can do to help prevent it.One of them being coffee!Not only does coffee offer a temporary boost in memory, but moderate amounts of coffee is thought to help prevent common symptoms of cognitive decline most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

8. Coffee can make you happy

In addition to the happiness it gives by bringing people together, some studies have shown even the smell of coffee to be a stress reliever.

9. Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of certain types of cancer

Several studies have shown that men who drink coffee on a regular basis may be at a lower risk for developing prostate cancer. In addition, moderate amounts of coffee consumption can help reduce endometrial cancer in many women.Multiple studies have shown that there may be a connection between drinking moderate amounts of coffee each day and lower instances of many types of cancer such as liver, colon, lung, breast, skin, and rectal cancers.

While these benefits may be heartwarming, please be aware that not everyone should indulge in large amounts of coffee.Pregnant women, those trying to become pregnant, children, individuals struggling with insomnia, dehydrated individuals, individuals with extremely high blood pressure, or those advised by their physician should not drink coffee.If you do not fall into one of these categories, still remember moderation is key!Anytime you plan to change your diet or try something new, always refer to your physician beforehand.It’s always best to play it safe.If you are currently a regular coffee drinker, then tomorrow while you are enjoying your fresh, hot and delicious cup of joe, you may find peace of mind in knowing you may actually be benefiting your body!