Java Junkies Benefit from Morning Joe

BY JESSICA TANSKI
SC Staff Writer

Did you ever once think your morning cup of Joe could actually have other benefits than just a pick-me-up?! If not, you better start thinking about it

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. When consumed in moderation, coffee can have several health benefits.

According to a study done at the University of Scranton, coffee is the number one source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients and/or enzymes that aid in the counteraction of the oxidation process of animal tissue.

There are over 1,000 antioxidants in coffee beans, and even more from when the beans are roasted.

Your morning ritual can continue to give you benefits throughout the day even after your cup is empty.

WebMD says that coffee serves as a metabolism booster and in return may help you shed some pounds. This increased metabolic rate may be the reason you end your morning ritual with the closing of a bathroom door. It keeps your metabolism going as the day wears thin.

Coffee does not just keep you warm and cozy while drinking it. Studies show that there is a positive linkage between the amount of coffee one consumes and depression decline. For those of you Java Junkies who consume three or four cups of coffee a day, you can possibly lower your risk of depression by 15 to 20 percent.

It is important to note that other sources of caffeine did not match up to the same result. Sodas and herbal teas do not have the same effect of mood-elevation.

A 2009 study from Finland and Sweden stated that those who drink three to five cups of coffee a day were 65 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study followed 1,400 people over the time period of 20 years. Studies suggest that it may have to do with the blood-caffeine levels in those who are daily drinkers verse those who do not consume coffee regularly.

While it seems as if coffee is a super-substance, its magic does not stop there. While there is not a cure for cancer around the world just yet, a Harvard professor and her colleagues have found that basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, is less likely to develop in coffee drinkers. They found that as coffee consumption increased the likeliness of the development of basal cell carcinoma decreased.

Norwegian researchers found that coffee can lower pain levels.

They observed 48 people doing office work. Those who drank coffee had a pain-intensity level of 41 and those who did not consume any had a pain-intensity level of 55.

For those of you who hit the gym, having a cup of coffee with your post-workout meal may help the effects the gym can put on your body. Consuming coffee on a daily basis may put your body at ease.

Scientific evidence proves that if you consume three to four cups of coffee a day, there is a 25 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The more coffee you drink, the greater the impact.

For example, if you drink six to eight cups of coffee on a day on a regular basis, coffee lowers your risk by about 30 to 35 percent.

More than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year.

A study in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology shows that coffee may help those affected by Parkinson’s disease with their controlling of body movements.

The study found an average of a three-point improvement in the participants given caffeine. However, it did not improve day time sleepiness.

Most importantly, coffee lovers live longer. Research shows that a minimum of three consumed cups of coffee on a daily basis leads to a 10 percent increased chance of living longer than those who drink little to no coffee.

While there are many positive benefits that coffee can bring to the table, it is important to note that there are also negative side effects to your daily ritual. Coffee can cause sleep deprecation. Due to coffee’s high caffeine content, it keeps your body going for eight to ten hours. While your body quickly absorbs caffeine it will affect your night sleep if you consume it later on in the day.

Coffee can keep you running to the bathroom. Studies show that caffeine makes you urinate more frequently.

The positive thing about this is that studies show that drinking beverages with high caffeine contents does not cause dehydration.

As you sit down in the morning with your fresh cup-of-Joe in your hand, you should feel good knowing that you are doing more for your body than just a java jolt.

It helps in the fight of cancer, diabetes, weight loss, depression, pain, and many other harmful diseases.

Coffee in moderation may help you live a longer life. This super-substance is one of the most consumed beverages all around the world and should be recognized for its healing capabilities.

Email Jessica at:
jat9670@live.esu.edu