4 Surprising Coffee Benefits You May Not Know...

It's come to light in a number of studies in recent years, that coffee may actually have some beneficial traits - beyond the burst of energy you get from caffeine.

Reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes  

According to study data provided by PubMed Central, an increase in daily coffee consumption by >1 cup was associated with an 11% lower relative risk of type 2 diabetes compared to those who made no changes. This may be due to the high level of antioxidants found in coffee, which have anti-inflammatory effects, however scientists are yet to identify the causal relationship.

Coffee also helps fat oxidation in the liver and the preservation of beta cell function in the pancreas.  The role of these cells is to store and release insulin which regulates blood sugar levels.

Protects Heart Health and Reduces Risk of Strokes

Across 21 studies with over 2.4 million participants, it was found that those who drink 3 to 4 cups of coffee per day, decrease their risk of a stroke by 21%.

In addition to this, another study found that coffee consumption can reduce your risk of heart failure, and consuming 3 to 5 cups per day can be associated with a 15% decrease in the risk of developing heart disease.

Reduced risk of Depression

A review of 11 studies carried out to link coffee to depression, found that for each cup of coffee consumed per day, the risk of developing depression dropped by 8%.

Furthermore, the studies found that this decrease in risk became faster and more significant when daily caffeine consumption was between 68mg and 509mg.

Reduced Risk and Slower Progression of Cognitive Diseases

A review of 11 prospective studies, which involved 29,155 participants, found that there was a correlation between a higher coffee consumption and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer disease.

Not only that, but it also found a similar link to Parkinson's disease, which across 13 studies, suggested that the risk of developing Parkinson's is reduced with an increase in coffee consumption.

What's more, it also suggested that a higher coffee consumption slowed the progression of Parkinson's disease in patients.

To conclude...

there is more to coffee than just energy boosts. It is said to support heart and liver health, as well as the fight against cognitive diseases, depression and strokes. 

Be sure to moderate your intake, if necessary, for personal health reasons. This is not medical advice and should not be relied upon.

All study data was provided by PedMed Central - An official website of the US Government.