Amanda Benko | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? Well, probably many people…but I am not one of them. From that first fragrant breeze of a fresh pot brewing to the anticipation of that first sip, coffee brings me to life. The best part is that research shows there are actual benefits to coffee, unlike many other players in my diet (lookin’ at you, sugar and butter).

Beyond its fantastic taste, coffee offers many benefits beyond its capacity to wake us up in the morning. Three primary benefits of coffee are enhanced cognition, increased physical performance, and disease prevention.

It can increase cognitive function. For many like me, coffee is essential to kickstart the day and improve mental readiness. Coffee contains caffeine, a common stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors within the brain, driving expanded neural action. This impact can progress different ideas of cognitive work, including memory retention (Pegado, Rodrigues, Raposo, & Fernandes, 2022). Analysts have found that caffeine improves response time, coherent thinking, and general mental performance. Besides, coffee has been connected to a decreased risk of illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, possibly due to its antioxidant properties and capacity to ensure brain cells.

Coffee boosts physical performance. Studies have shown that coffee improves athletic performance and decreases fatigue (Pegado, Rodrigues, Raposo, & Fernandes, 2022). Coffee has been found to help with putting away body fat as fuel, empowering competitors to improve their endurance and workout effectiveness.

Lastly, coffee has benefits for overall well-being. Beyond its impacts on cognitive function and physical performance, coffee has been related to different well-being benefits. Research has shown that coffee can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Coffee’s antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and valuable compounds like chlorogenic corrosive contribute to these defensive effects (Chieng & Kistler, 2021). Coffee’s antioxidant properties and potential to progress blood vessel work and diminish irritation may contribute to this effect, which is why coffee consumption is also linked to decreased risk of stroke and heart disease.

In summary, coffee is not only delightful but also provides several benefits that go beyond its stimulating smell and taste. Of course, be mindful of what you are putting in your coffee. So, the next time you enjoy a cup, know that our friend Joe is helping you too!

References

Chieng, D., & Kistler, P. M. (2021). Coffee and tea on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2021.08.004

Pegado, E., Rodrigues, C., Raposo, H., & Fernandes, A. I. (2022). The Uses of Coffee in Highly Demanding Work Contexts: Managing Rhythms, Sleep, and Performance. Social Sciences, 11(8), 365. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11080365