Among all the beverages, coffee has always been our go-to-friend, be it to beat weekday blues or serve as an excuse to bond over romantic dates. Moreover, coffee consist of high on levels of antioxidants and has some beneficial nutrients that are often overlooked except for the fact that it boosts energy levels.
Here are some lesser known benefits and science behind coffee that make it from the time we wake up to even before sleep.
Fights Depression
With restrictions on stepping out amid the pandemic and little to do except work from home currently within the confines of one’s house, sipping your favourite cup of coffee is what makes our energy reach the brim. From lowering the risk of developing depression to dramatically reducing suicide risk, coffee got it all sorted.
As per a Harvard study published in 2011, it was found that women who drank 4 or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed.
Coffee Nap
Drinking coffee before sleeping for a short period of time impacts adenosine, a chemical that promotes sleep and increases brain’s capacity to receive caffeine.
This helps prevent one from falling into a slow -wave sleep or deep slumber that is sleep for half an hour or more.
Lowers risk of cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death across the world but coffee provides a protective shield even against this disease. Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of both liver and colorectal cancer and according to a few studies those who drank 4–5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer and a 40% lower risk of liver cancer.
Reduces chances of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a serious ailment affecting millions across the world currently but coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing it for some reason. An 18 studies review on 457,922 people revealed that each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Another study showed a 23–50% lower risk of getting type 2 diabetes. The highest reduction was recorded as 67% in some other studies.
Longevity
Few people are aware of the health benefits of coffee and are less likely to get many diseases but truth is, coffee drinkers enjoy even a lower risk of premature death, as per a 20-year study. The study revealed that individuals with type 2 diabetes, who drank coffee, had a 30% lower risk of death and a few other studies found that consuming the beverage was linked with a 26% decreased risk of death in women and a 20% reduced risk of death in men, over 18–24 years.