A cup of coffee every morning to get through the day fit. A habit that is a daily occurrence for many people. Although there is a lot of negativity surrounding the use of coffee, it does have hidden health benefits. People who suffer from migraines, gallstones or Parkinson’s do benefit from drinking coffee.
Caffeine gives a boost
The biggest known benefit of coffee is of course its stimulating effect. Coffee contains caffeine which helps you concentrate for a longer period of time. In addition, it inhibits feelings of fatigue, especially during repetitive or intellectually intensive tasks. This effect also has a positive influence on driving skills. Scientific studies have shown that both your reflexes and your visual perception are greatly improved after taking caffeine. These effects vary considerably depending on your sensitivity to caffeine and are often more noticeable in people who drink less coffee.
Low in calories
In addition to the stimulating effect, caffeine also encourages your body to use your energy reserves. Normally, your breathing, posture and brain activity require only 16% of your total body energy. This will increase significantly after taking a dose of caffeine. This does not mean that coffee will cause you to lose weight, but it is and remains a low-calorie drink with only 2-5 kcal per cup. Of course, this is increased after adding sugar.
Good for digestion
In countries such as the United Kingdom there is a true coffee culture, a morning latte has become an indispensable part of the breakfast ritual here, which has disastrous consequences for the diet of these people. Although, the continental way of drinking coffee has traditionally been a strong black espresso after dinner. This tradition took shape due to the positive influence of caffeine on the digestive system. Caffeine increases saliva and digestive enzymes and stimulates digestion. However, coffee is still not recommended for people with esophageal and stomach disorders.
Anti-migraine
Coffee is also known for its anti-migraine effect. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels in the brain, reducing the intensity and duration of migraines. In combination with paracetamol or aspirin, the pain is quickly relieved.
Caffeine and muscles
Caffeine can affect athletic performance. It makes the mind more alert, accelerates the heart rate and mobilizes fat reserves as an additional energy source during exercise. This allows the body to cut back on the glycogen reserves in the muscles, making you less likely to tire. All these benefits are of course linked to a moderate consumption of coffee of about two cups per day. Drinking liters of coffee before a match is therefore of no use.
Antioxidant effect
In addition to caffeine, coffee also contains antioxidant substances that have a beneficial effect on the body. These antioxidants, called polyphenols, play a protective role in cellular aging and the development of certain cancers. It has not yet been proven that coffee effectively prevents the development of colon cancer, the most common cancer in Europe, but experts believe that coffee does not pose a risk for the development of colon cancer or will worsen an existing condition.
Coffee and Parkinson’s
As already mentioned in the introduction, caffeine also has a positive effect on people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects 3% of people over 65. Studies have already shown that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop this disease than people who don’t drink coffee. The protective effect of coffee is estimated at 30% for people who drink at least two cups of coffee per day. Although the exact effects on the body are not yet fully understood, recent experiments have shown that caffeine produces a neuroprotective mechanism that acts directly on certain parts of the brain responsible for the control of movements, improving the patient’s motor skills.
Coffee and gallstones
Caffeine also protects against gallstones. A large-scale study conducted on more than 7,800 American nurses found that women who drank four cups of coffee or more per day were 25% less likely to develop gallstones. In men the risk would be even lower to 45%.
Decision
Remember that the positive effects of coffee are associated with moderate consumption. Excessive consumption of coffee can lead to negative effects such as agitation, anxiety, aggression and insomnia. An occasional cup of coffee will certainly benefit your health.
