Your daily cup of coffee may be doing a lot more for you than you think. The advocates of coffee publicize its brain-boosting abilities. The detractors talk about it causing insomnia, indigestion, and increased blood pressure. Coffee has been the subject of research for the past several years. But with more evidence coming from research, there is good news for coffee lovers. Here are the health benefits of drinking coffee:

1. A potential source of antioxidants
Coffee packs more antioxidants than green tea and cocoa, long considered the primary source of antioxidants. Antioxidants fight inflammation, which helps treat several chronic conditions like arthritis. It neutralizes the toxic effects of free radicals, which keep us healthy by protecting the cells from damage.

2. Happiness and memory booster
A single cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is known to affect the parts of the brain that are responsible for memory and concentration. However, there is no evidence of the duration for which the effects will last. Drinking coffee is linked to positive emotions such as pleasure, calmness, and happiness. It is one of the significant health benefits of drinking coffee. It is important to note that no negative emotions are linked to coffee consumption.

3. Helps protect against cognitive decline
Moderate consumption of coffee can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Coffee drinking minimizes the development of risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, leading to reduced risk of dementia. Improving mental alertness is one of the health benefits of drinking coffee.

4. Healthy for heart
Drinking two to four cups of coffee daily reduces the risk of heart disease by as much as 20%. Evidence from research states that coffee protects against arterial damage caused by inflammation.

5. Reduces depression
Coffee has boosters that stimulate the central nervous system and reduce depression in both men and women. Caffeine in coffee triggers neurotransmitters that regulates serotonin and dopamine, the mood influencers.

6. Protects your liver
Coffee drinking lowers the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer as it protects against factors associated with the disease, such as fatty liver disease. A study showed that drinking either coffee or decaffeinated coffee lowers liver enzyme levels.

7. Gives your workout a boost
Coffee in moderation increases muscular strength, endurance, and power, improves circulation, and reduces pain. Caffeine in coffee increases adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone that helps the body prepare for exertion. This helps to push harder during workouts, resulting in better endurance levels.

Coffee perks you up, and something is calming about it. Moreover, research is also backing up the good news about coffee with evidence on the health benefits of drinking coffee. It turns out that coffee does not have too many downsides. In fact, with evidence, it can be stated that coffee packs in a healthy punch. So, pour yourself a cuppa.