We’re all about having energy—and doing what it takes naturally to get a little boost. That being said, we have nothing against our client’s enjoying their daily cup of Joe. And although a lot of people rely on the caffeine boost from coffee for their energy, the truth is that when you eat healthfully and exercise (and get some sleep!), you don’t need to rely on that caffeine for your perk because you’ll already have plenty of pep in your step!
Despite not being bad for you, coffee does get a bad rap. However, you may be surprised to learn that recent research has shown that it does quite a bit more than just put a little pep in your step. While we certainly don’t advocate drinking a full pot on your own, drinking up to two small cups a day may not be as bad as you’d think! (NOTE: Although a few of these studies mentioned below show health benefits when more than two cups of coffee are consumed a day, we don’t recommend this as the negative effects from too much caffeine may outweigh the possible benefits).
People who drink caffeinated coffee may be less prone to developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The antioxidants in coffee lower the cell damage linked to Parkinson’s, and coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties help block inflammation in the brain, which has been associated with Parkinson’s disease.
The Journal of Nutrition found that premenopausal women who drank four cups of regular coffee per day had a 38% reduction in their breast cancer risk. This is because coffee releases phytoestrogens and flavonoids that help stop tumor growth, but those who drank less than four saw no benefit!
Two or more cups per day of coffee, helped stop mucus from trapping cholesterol in your gallbladder, giving you gallstones. Xanthine, found in caffeine, helps reduce mucus!
Between two and five cups of caffeinated coffee could help lower your risk by up to 17% for non-melanoma skin cancer. The caffeine may help your skin to kill precancerous cells.
People who drank three to four cups of regular or decaf coffee a day are 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes because of chlorogenic acid, which may help prevent insulin resistance (just watch your sugar and cream!). (NOTE, this benefit is seen if you are a decaf coffee lover! You go, if you are loving coffee and drinking it and not relying on its’ caffeine—that’s fabulous!)