Top 3 benefits of Coffee ( 3 mins read)

Coffee, a major export commodity is one of the most consumed beverages all over the world. Derived from nature, coffee beans are brewed in order to produce the drink.

Coffee contains caffeine, which is a known stimulant for humans. Most of us drink coffee to fight drowsiness but there are many other health benefits associated with drinking coffee.

1. Prevents diabetes mellitus

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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness faced by billions in this world. People with diabetes will have high blood sugar level and will need to take medications or injections to lower it. 

In this research conducted in Singapore, consuming 4 cups or more every day is associated with more than 30% chance of getting diabetes mellitus in future. A review on this issue looked at over 450000 individuals and  concluded that drinking 3 or more cups of coffee per day makes an individual 0.6 times less likely to develop diabetes in future.

A group of researchers from Korea looked at how Coffee can benefit pre-diabetic individuals. Pre-diabetics are those with higher than normal blood sugar level but is not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. It is believed that these individuals will eventually progress to diabetes mellitus unless measures such as lifestyle changes are taken.This research concluded that drinking coffee without sugar or creamer for three times a day prevents the onset of diabetes mellitus.

However, if you have a very sweet tooth, healthier alternatives to sugar are available. Find out more about artificial sweeteners from here.


2. Prevents colon cancer

Numerous researches have been conducted in this area. In a recent research, regular consumption of coffee was associated with the lesser chance of developing colon cancer. For example, in those who consume coffee more than 2 cups per days, their chance of developing colon cancer was 0.4 compared to those who do not.

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Before cancer begins to form in the colon, few cells produce  a small pre-cancerous lesion called " colon adenoma". This colon adenoma formation is associated with progression to colon cancer, which is why regular screening is recommended for those who have a high risk of developing colon cancer ( family history etc). Scientists from Japan found a significant benefit of drinking coffee in preventing colonic adenoma. According to their research, high intake of coffee reduces the chance of developing adenoma, the precursor form of colon cancer.

Coffee also seems to prevent other types of cancers. In a review done by researchers in China, it was concluded that coffee consumption is associated with lesser risk of developing mouth, liver, colon, prostate, and womb cancer.


3. Prevents Alzheimer's disease

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Dementia is a common problem among elderly individuals. Dementia is commonly known as memory loss among the general population but dementia can also affect daily activities for example walking or even speaking. Some patients might even "forget" how to speak or perform simple tasks like drawing. Alzheimer's disease is one of the causes of dementia.

Coffee consumption has been associated with general benefits on the brain activities. In a recent review, drinking 1 to 2 cups of coffee per day were associated with reduced risk of getting dementia, Alzheimer's disease or any form of cognitive impairment. However the exact mechanism on how coffee reduces the onset of dementia is unclear.

Conclusion

Drinking coffee regularly is proven to be protective against colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, and dementia. However, high consumption of coffee could cause problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia. Thus always consume coffee in moderation and always go for regular health check-ups!