“Coffee helps me maintain my ‘”never killed anyone streak.’” – Anonymous
Not only does coffee keep a lot of us sane, but it contains so many health benefits that we question why you wouldn’t want to drink it if you don’t already. Of course, it tastes better with a few teaspoons of sugar and cream, but sadly, the benefits come from straight up black, pure coffee. Sugar and cream don’t hurt every now and then, though.
Before we tell you about what happens when you drink coffee every morning when you wake up, we should mention that if you buy coffee, try to buy organic, fair trade when possible. Also, go for pure coffee without added, artificial flavors, as this will lessen the health benefits you get from drinking it.
So, why is coffee good for you, you ask? Well, get ready to feel even better about your coffee addiction when you find out why!
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRINK COFFEE EVERY DAY:
6. IT INCREASES YOUR METABOLISM.
This is probably the number one reason why people drink the stuff, anyway. There’s nothing quite like getting out of bed groggy and unprepared for the work or school day ahead, and then downing a cup of joe and suddenly feeling like an Energizer bunny. While the energy doesn’t last long, it can certainly help us start our day on the right note. Plus, who’s to say you can’t have a refill or two in the afternoon!
Studies have even found that coffee helps increase your metabolism after a workout! A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology discovered that endurance athletes who had a cup of coffee following exercise had a 66 percent increase in muscle glycogen, which helps the body replace energy quickly after a hard workout.
5. COFFEE INCREASES BRAIN HEALTH.
Where should we start with all the brain benefits? Well, some studies have found that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by as much as 65% in middle-aged men and women. Other studies have found that a daily cup of joe can decrease the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by as much as 32-60%.
Also, drinking coffee can inhibit a type of nucleoside in the brain known as adenosine. Adenosine decreases the firing of neurons and the release of beneficial neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine within the brain. Because caffeine blocks adenosine, it therefore increases the “feel-good” chemicals within the brain.
Finally, other studies have found that coffee increases cognitive performance, mood, reaction time, memory, and alertness.
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