Coffee isn’t just warm and energizing, it can also be good for you. Recent studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption (three to four cups a day) may be beneficial to your health.

Here are some of the benefits associated with this widely consumed beverage:

1. Coffee Can Make You Smarter

The active ingredient in coffee is caffeine, which is not only a stimulant but also the world’s most commonly consumed psychoactive substance. Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that makes you tired and less alert. By blocking the inhibitory effects of this neurotransmitter, caffeine can increase neuronal firing in the brain and the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine.

Studies show that caffeine can improve reaction time, attentiveness, memory, and general cognitive function.

2. It Can Help You Burn Fat and Improve Physical Performance

There’s a good reason why caffeine is found in most commercial fat burning supplements. Caffeine is one of the few natural substances that can help burn fat. Studies show that caffeine can increase the burning of fat by 29% in lean people and 10% in obese individuals.

Caffeine also improves physical performance. It fights fatigue, strengthens muscle contraction and reduces the body’s perception of pain during exercise.

3. It Is a Rich Source of Nutrients and Antioxidants

Coffee contains a decent amount of nutrients including potassium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B2, vitamin B3 and vitamin B5. It is also a major source of dietary antioxidants – contains large amounts of antioxidants when compared to tea, wine, tea, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables. Antioxidants keep us healthy by protecting our cells from damage. They also fight inflammation, an underlying cause of many chronic illnesses including atherosclerosis, arthritis and different types of cancer.

4. It May Be Extremely Good for Your Liver

Coffee consumption can protect your liver against cancer and cirrhosis. Studies show that coffee drinkers have an estimated 80% lower risk of getting liver cirrhosis and 43% lower risk of developing liver cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers. These studies suggest that the reduced risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer may be associated with coffee constituents such as phenolics. This substance works by inhibiting inflammatory transcription factors and increasing the expression levels of liver detoxification enzymes.

5. It May Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are the most common neurodegenerative diseases. They are caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Several studies have shown that moderate and regular coffee consumption may have neuroprotective effects against mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The studies suggest that caffeine’s adenosine-blocking ability can help protect or conserve our brain cells.

Habitual coffee consumption can also reduce the risk of gallstones, kidney stones, depression and type 2 diabetes. However, make sure to drink a maximum of three to four cups a day a since consuming too much caffeine can lead to dependency and even increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. If you’re looking to start brewing coffee at home, purchasing a good coffee machine will be essential. To help you choose the best coffee maker, read Ninja Coffee Bar reviews for honest coffee maker reviews. The site also covers everything there is to know about coffee including different coffee styles and blends, and coffee machines among others.

If you found this post helpful, subscribe to The Megalomaniac Mommy for more interesting articles.