Art & Culture

The Benefits of Drinking Coffee Every Day

Karen Davidson
Jul 28, 2021

Whether you prefer a big cup of black coffee in the morning or a small espresso after lunch, there’s one thing everyone agrees on: coffee gives us the energy we need to get through even the longest of days. However, Diane Vizthum, M.S., R.D., research nutritionist for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine explains that energy isn’t the only benefit of drinking coffee, “Caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about coffee. But coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease.”

Just like green tea and cocoa, coffee is a potent source of antioxidants – substances that fight inflammation and keep us healthy protecting our cells from damage. While unprocessed coffee beans have hundreds of antioxidants, hundreds more are developed during the roasting process. Besides, according to a study by the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care in the Netherlands, coffee is also good for your heart. The study observed the data of 37,514 participants for 13 years and found that moderate coffee drinkers had a 20% lower risk of heart disease when compared to people who drank more or less than 2 to 4 cups daily.

Coffee cup

Getty Images / Cultura / Henglein and Steets

Besides, coffee is also great for your brain: it provides a short-term memory boost and may help prevent cognitive decline. Research by the Medical University Innsbruck in Austria shows that caffeine affects particular areas of the brain responsible for memory and concentration, which provides a short-term memory boost. Additionally, a study by the University of Eastern Finland found that regular coffee consumption could help prevent cognitive decline associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.