Around seven in 10 Americans drink coffee every week, and 62% enjoy a cup of their favorite brew every day –as reported by The National Coffee Association (NCA) recently. From homemade coffee to brewing machine favorites and even store-bought options, there are many options, beans, intensities and flavors to choose from. The good news for coffee lovers is that your daily black gold beverage is far from guilt-inducing. Rather, recent scientific studies – just a few of which are discussed below – point to a plethora of benefits for most drinkers.

Not All Coffee Is Alike

Before proceeding to the studies themselves, it is important to note that not all coffee is healthy. Instant, highly processed coffee containing flavoring made with sugar,high fructose corn syrup, and other unhealthy sweeteners, can contribute to a variety of health issues – including obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. The NCA states that over 60% of coffee consumed is brewed/espresso-based.Espresso has more caffeine per ounce than standard coffee, since it uses less water and uses fine ground beans that give coffee a thicker consistency. Espresso in a variety of roast levels can be added to a range of different coffee types – including caf latt, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat white.

Newly Discovered Benefits Of Coffee

Just a few recent studies show that the benefits of coffee are varied. One 2021 study, for instance, found that enjoying a strong cup of coffee half an hour before your workoutincreases the rate of fat burning. Another study by researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that the consumption of a few cups of coffee a day waslinked to a longer survival ratefor late-state colorectal cancer patients (and it was also linked to a lower risk of the cancer getting worse). A third (2020) study showed that women who partook of two to three cups of coffee per day had a lower amount of abdominal fat than those who consumed less. Finally, a 2021 analysis by the American Heart Association showed that drinking one or more cups of coffee was linked to a lower heart failure risk.

Is Coffee Always Good For You

A recent study by researchers at the University of South Australia has found that regular coffee consumption can increase the risk of three diseases in particular: obesity, arthropathy, and osteoarthritis. Another (2021) study showed that long-term consumption of abundant coffee every day (six or more cups) increases the amount of fats in the blood, thus increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, if you have a family history of these diseases, speak to your doctor about how much coffee (if any) is suitable for you. In general, aim to consume your favorite brew moderately, keeping it healthy by avoiding high-sugar additives that add a pleasant flavor to your beverage but wrest from its health benefits.

Coffee is one of Americas most popular beverages, and the good news is that it can have many health benefits for fat burning, heart health, and alertness, amongst other things. However, heavy consumption can increase the risk of a small number of diseases. Therefore, it is important to keep your enjoyment of coffee moderate and to run your consumption by your doctor to ensure you are ready to receive its benefits to the full.


By Jess Walter

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