Coffee has long been one of my favourite indulgences. Actually, let's be honest. I can't get through my day without visiting Starbucks. And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say: I'm not alone in this. Even so...my sipping usually comes with a teeny bit of guilt.
Reasonable? Turns out, probably not. In fact, it looks like I just might be doing myself some good with my daily java.
There's a growing body of research connecting coffee with a multitude of health benefits. See, coffee is bursting with phytonutrients (in other words: natural plant compounds), including all kinds of lovely antioxidants and anticarcinogenics.
Here are some of the ways coffee is good for you:
Coffee could save your brain.
Research has linked coffee to a decreased risk of Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s. And by research, here, we’re talking several studies, worldwide.
Coffee may prevent skin cancer.
A recent study of more than 100,000 people showed a 20% reduction in the risk of basal cell skin cancer in women who drank 3 cups of coffee a day. What’s more, there’s early evidence that coffee helps prevent other types of cancer, too: breast, liver, prostate…to name a few.
Coffee can improve cognitive function.
And helps you unleash your inner editor. A study published last year showed that caffeine improved subjects’ ability to proofread and spot errors in their grammar. (I knew there had to be a reason I do my best writing in a cafe.)
Coffee can ward off depression.
Researchers at Harvard found that women who drink a few cups of coffee a day have a lower risk of depression than women who don’t drink any coffee. (To my husband who thought I sounded like an addict when I said I like myself better on coffee…ha!)
Coffee may prevent diabetes.
In a 2009 study, for every additional cup of coffee a person drank, their risk of Type 2 Diabetes was reduced by 7%.
All this, while savouring my morning latte? Yes please.
But…maybe you’re more of a tea girl? Well there’s lots of health benefit there, too. Here’s why...
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