General considerations on the benefits of coffee

Coffee is one of the oldest drinks that exist. The powerful beans appeared many centuries ago and became famous in the colonial period, becoming popular in many Brazilian homes. Besides giving energy to face the day, there are many benefits of coffee that you can enjoy.

With just two cups of coffee a day, you prevent your body from serious diseases, such as cancer, for example. In addition, your body gains more energy and disposition during physical exercises, your mind becomes more concentrated, your mood improves eliminating sadness, and much more.

In this text, you will discover several benefits of coffee and also learn how to consume the drink, which can be used in desserts and even sauces. In fact, coffee is a versatile substance that combines with various ingredients and is highly beneficial to human health. To learn more about this wonderful drink, read on.

The nutritional profile of coffee

The benefits of coffee exist thanks to the nutritional profile of the beans, which are composed of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, kahweol and caffeine. Together, these elements act in the body improving the functioning of many organs. Check out the performance of each one of them in the topics below.

Chlorogenic acid

Chlorogenic acid is an active ingredient that has antioxidant, hypoglycemic and neuroprotective properties. Therefore, the substance acts in the body by controlling blood pressure, regulating blood glucose and controlling cholesterol. Thanks to him, the benefits of coffee can be enjoyed by people suffering from diabetes.

In addition to coffee, chlorogenic acid can be found in green tea, a beverage that is widely used to help people lose weight. Since it has an antioxidant function, the acid fights free radicals, protecting the body against some types of diseases and prevents premature aging. Combined with caffeic acid, the protection is even greater.

Caffeic acid

Another element responsible for the benefits of coffee is caffeic acid, which in addition to the antioxidant and neuroprotective function, also has anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-atherosclerotic and anticancer properties. Together with chlorogenic acid, it reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases such as Parkinson's.

Caffeic acid acts on the central nervous system by improving the functioning of neurotransmitters. Therefore, the element helps to promote various benefits, such as reducing depression, improving mood, preventing the onset of Parkinson's disease, reducing premature aging, among many others.

Kahweol

Kahweol is one of the main assets found in coffee. It is responsible for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, melanoma, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, headaches, Alzheimer's, liver disease, among many others. In addition, it is thanks to this element that the benefits of coffee are extended to the protection of sensitive organs such as the liver.

The kahweol is also an antioxidant, which fights free radicals, the main villains of premature aging, depression, cancer and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to ingest small doses of coffee per day to ensure the health of your body and prevention against serious diseases.

Caffeine

Caffeine is one of the best known ingredients of coffee. The substance is, by essence, a stimulant that acts directly on the central nervous system. With the presence of caffeine in the body, the body gains more willingness and energy in states of great effort, such as physical exercise, for example.

In addition, the benefits of coffee can be felt by people who need to concentrate. As caffeine acts on the nervous system, the element increases memory capacity, increasing the concentration potential. It also improves mood and reduces symptoms of depression. In the morning, caffeine has an excellent performance.

The health benefits of coffee

Very popular among Brazilians, know that coffee is not just a famous drink. The powerful beans that date back to the colonial era, bring numerous health benefits. Check below the main benefits of coffee.

Reduces anxiety and promotes mood improvements

Coffee is a drink that can stimulate the body or relax. It all depends on the amount ingested and the type of body of each one. To enjoy the benefits of coffee in relation to mood and decrease anxiety, for example, you should drink two to three cups of coffee daily.

With this amount, the beverage is able to reduce anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calm and relief. In addition, due to stimulant properties, coffee acts on the central nervous system by balancing the levels of the main neurotransmitters responsible for mood. This benefit is great for those who suffer from depression.

Increases the ability to concentrate and memory

Among the many benefits of coffee, the improvement in the capacity of concentration and memory is evident. Those who consume the drink daily, have an increase in memory, being able to store things faster and remember more easily what they have stored.

An American research conducted by Johns Hopkins University stated that some types of memories are strengthened up to 24 hours after drinking coffee. The study also revealed that the main active responsible for this ability is caffeine.

American research has proven that the brain is able to retain memory and present higher concentration levels in the presence of caffeine.

It is efficient in the prevention of cancer

Cancer is one of the most feared diseases by people. To avoid the appearance of this silent disease, it is very important to ingest foods and drinks that bring prevention advantages. The benefits of coffee, for example, are able to decrease the risk of cancer in the breast, liver and other body regions.

The antioxidants present in coffee fight the free radicals responsible for the development of this type of disease. But it is important to note that the consumption of the beverage should be moderate, because coffee alone cannot prevent any disease. It is essential to associate healthy foods to coffee consumption.

Helps reduce symptoms of depression

Coffee is a stimulating beverage, so the benefits of coffee are ideas for those who suffer from depression. By ingesting the drink moderately every day, you can notice a significant improvement in mood and disposition, especially if you take the coffee in the morning.

The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a research with 50,000 women in which it was proven that drinking two to three cups of coffee daily reduces the risk of developing depression by up to 15%. For those who already have a predisposition to the disease or have cases in the family, it is important to consume some of the beverage.

It is efficient in combating headaches

One of the benefits of coffee is to combat headaches. In addition to stimulant properties, the drink also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce not only headaches, but also the terrible migraines. There are people who experience headaches that only improve with the intake of the drink.

However, you need to keep in mind that every body works differently, so there are some people who may feel better headaches when they don't drink coffee. So keep an eye on your body's signals to know what's best for you.

Helps the weight loss process

In weight loss diets coffee is widely used. This is because the drink has the ability to burn fat quickly and speed up metabolism, which is great for those who want to lose weight.

These benefits of coffee are provided due to the action of caffeine that performs the dilution of fat cells. In addition, coffee promotes lipid oxidation and activates the sympathetic nervous system, facilitating fat burning.

Another advantage of coffee that facilitates fat reduction is the thermogenic effect. Thermogenic actives favor the burning of calories and the acceleration of metabolism, which if combined with a good diet, the body slimming very fast.

Promotes improved performance during exercise

Those who practice physical exercises can enjoy the benefits of coffee. Unanimously, the beverage is considered an energy stimulant that makes the body more active and resistant. Coffee increases the body's performance, decreases sleep and the feeling of tiredness.

All these actions of the beverage are due to the presence of caffeine, the main ingredient composed of the bean. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system increasing endurance during physical exertion, improving alertness and concentration, in addition to also expanding the ability to concentrate. In other words, coffee is not just famous, in fact, it increases energy.

Prevents cardiovascular diseases

One of the great benefits of coffee is the prevention against cardiovascular diseases. The School of Public Health of Harvard University (USA) published a research where it said that only four doses of coffee every day is able to reduce the risk of heart failure by 11%.

Heart failure is caused by the inability of the heart to pump blood to the whole body. And this condition is fought thanks to the presence of coffee polyphenols. These small substances have the function of fighting the main free radicals that cause the increase of bad cholesterol, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.

It is efficient in combating constipation

People who suffer from constipation can enjoy the benefits of coffee. The caffeine present in the drink has the potential to increase the production of bile acids. With the release of bile in the intestine, caused by the gallbladder, the bowel is looser, causing the person to go to the bathroom more.

Another action of the coffee, is that it releases a type of stimulating hormone of the large intestine that helps the organ to perform gastric movements more intense. The increase of contractions helps the intestine to throw the residues present in the place out of the whole organism.

Reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the degeneration of neurons that culminates in the inability of motor control, causing tremors, postural instability and rigidity. As coffee acts on the central nervous system and is an excellent stimulant, the drink prevents the onset of this severe disease.

Two cups of coffee every day are enough to obtain the benefits of coffee. These powerful beans have the ability to improve the functioning of neurotransmitters and enhance motor coordination. A few doses are enough to ease the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and reduce the risks of the onset of the disease.

Prevents sagging and skin aging

Coffee is rich in caffeine, antioxidants, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, which are skin-protecting substances capable of preventing premature aging and sagging. Together, these elements protect the skin against free radicals, the main skin aggressors that contribute to aging.

To obtain these benefits from coffee, it is ideal to consume two to three cups of the drink a day and not add any components, such as sugar or milk, for example. Nutritionists say that the more substances added to the drink, the less you can obtain the benefits that coffee offers. Therefore, opt for pure coffee.

Regulates blood glucose levels

When the levels of glucose in the blood are unregulated one of the big problems that can arise is diabetes. For this not to happen, prevention is fundamental and coffee can help in this process.

American studies state that only two cups of the drink a day are already enough to acquire the benefits of coffee and level glucose. Coffee has two substances capable of acting on insulin, which are chlorogenic acid and magnesium.

Together, these antioxidants increase the sensitivity of the insulin element, contributing to the decrease in the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is important to consume a little coffee every day, but in moderation.

It is beneficial for liver health

The liver is a very important organ for the functioning of the whole human organism, but it is also one of the most sensitive. The excess of fructose and alcohol, for example, can lead the organ to serious complications, such as the appearance of hepatitis, cirrhosis and even cancer.

To avoid these and other problems, you can count on the benefits of coffee. With just three or four cups of coffee a day, you reduce by up to 80% the chances of developing major liver problems. There are also studies that claim that daily consumption of the beverage can reduce the risk of cancer in this region by up to 40%.

Decreases the risk of premature death

In addition to improvements in concentration, memory, mood, energy and decreased risk of diseases, the benefits of coffee also include increased life expectancy. People who drink small doses of the beverage daily decrease the chances of premature death. This is due to the presence of many antioxidants in coffee.

This fact was proven by the National Cancer Institute of the United States. The institution's research stated that men who drink three to four cups of coffee daily gain 10% in life expectancy. Women who consume the same amount of the beverage gain 13% in life expectancy.

How to consume coffee and contraindications

To enjoy all the benefits of coffee, it is of utmost importance that you know how to properly consume the drink. In addition, it is important to know the adverse effects, after all everything in life has its good and bad side. Learn more in the topics below.

Pure

Most nutritionists claim that the best way to absorb all the benefits of coffee is to consume it in its pure form, that is, without any additives such as sugar, milk, whipped cream and others. Professionals also claim that these components can increase the calories of the drink, which is very bad for those who want to lose weight.

Coffee lovers say that the pure drink is much tastier. To consume it in this format, just grind the beans and drink coffee immediately after the process, without adding anything else. For those who are not used to it, it may feel quite difficult at first, but over time you get used to the taste.

In desserts

Although the benefits of coffee are largely enjoyed in its pure form, the beverage can be added to desserts. The most common dessert dishes are coffee mousse and coffee ice cream dessert. Just a few spoonfuls of coffee powder along with other recipe ingredients are all it takes to make a delicious dessert.

There are more elaborate dishes that you can use coffee beans to decorate, such as pudding, pave, tiramisu, affogato, among many other delicious recipes prepared and decorated with coffee. To absorb the maximum benefits of the beans is important to choose natural ingredients whenever possible.

In sauces

Coffee can also be used in sauces, especially if you want to take care of your health. In red meat, the benefits of coffee are great if used in pure form.

To do this, you should prepare the drink as if you were going to drink it, without adding any extra elements. Then, just add the cups of coffee along with the other elements.

For sauces, coffee combines with lemon, pepper, salted butter, English sauce, among many others. Focus on your tastes and add ingredients of your choice. Just be careful with the excess. Remember that despite the many benefits of coffee, everything in large quantities is bad for you.

Adverse Effects

Even with several benefits of coffee, if taken in excess, the beverage can generate serious adverse effects, such as tremors, body aches and nervousness, for example. The intake of caffeine above 600 mg has the potential to cause anxiety, states of intense nervousness, insomnia and strong stomach pains.

On the other hand, a single dose of 1.2 g of caffeine or even more can culminate in an overdose, generating diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing, vomiting, tremors and increased heartbeat. It is highly important to be aware of the amount of daily consumption and the signals that the body provides, because each body is different from the other.

Who should not consume

Despite being widely consumed in Brazil, there are people who may not enjoy the benefits of coffee. Quite the contrary, in some cases, the beverage can cause irreversible reactions.

Among the group of people who should not consume coffee are pregnant women. The caffeine present in the substance has the ability to interfere with the development of adenosine, which is an important element for baby formation. Excess coffee can even cause miscarriages.

People with gastritis should also avoid drinking coffee. This is because caffeine can cause the stimulation of gastric secretion and cause serious discomfort in the stomach. In addition, those who have sensitivity to the effects of caffeine, coffee intake can disrupt good sleep.

Add the drink to your routine and enjoy all the benefits of coffee!

If consumed in its pure form, you can enjoy all the benefits of coffee. After all, the more added components, the less nutrients from the drink your body will retain. However, as a versatile substance, coffee can be used in other preparations, such as desserts and sauces, for example.

Remember that just two or three cups of coffee every day is enough for you to ensure a good protection of your health. However, do not forget that despite all the advantages, if consumed in excess, coffee can bring great harm.

Therefore, keep an eye open for your body's signals. Assess your situation and try to know your body. Pregnant women and people with gastritis or high sensitivity to caffeine are not recommended to drink coffee. Other than these cases, with balance and moderation you will be able to enjoy the benefits of coffee.