Bach Seat

We love our coffee at the Bach Seat. Despite the nay-sayers, coffee is the go-to way to start the day. And now there is even more evidence that not only is coffee good, but it is also good for you. New research has linked our morning coffee to many health benefits.

Coffee reduces the risk of heart disease

A study found that four cups of coffee a day is the best amount of coffee to drink each day. A study published in PLOS Biology argues that four cups of coffee help maintain a healthy heart. Study co-authors Joachim Altschmied, Ph.D., and Judith Haendeler, Ph.D., both at the University of Dusseldorf biologists studied coffee intake. They observed that four cups a day can actually help heart cells function more efficiently. The caffeine in four cups of coffee will “push” a protein called p27 into the mitochondria of heart cells.

Not only does coffee boost heart cell activity. Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea found that regular coffee drinkers have less risk of heart disease. The study, led by Dr. Yuni Choi, screened over people and found those who consumed three to five cups of coffee a day. Dr. Choi found they were less likely to see a prevalence of coronary artery calcium or early signs of heart disease. Another study looking at coffee consumption and death from chronic diseases found a link between moderate coffee consumption (3 cups per day) and a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular disease deaths compared with non-drinkers.

Coffee reduces the risk of colorectal cancer

A study at the University of Southern California, coffee can reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer by 26%. And that’s just if you’re the casual coffee drinker. For those who drink more than 2.5 servings of coffee a day, the risk of cancer decreases up to 50 percent. Stephen Gruber, MD, Ph.D., MPH, director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is the senior author of the study. He said, “We found that drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, and the more coffee consumed, the lower the risk.“

This was true even when participants drank decaf, meaning there’s more goodness to coffee than just the caffeine. Dr. Bruner explained, “We were somewhat surprised to see that caffeine did not seem to matter …  caffeine alone is not responsible for coffee’s protective properties.”

Defense against Alzheimer’s disease

There are several studies that suggest coffee drinkers may have a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In a study published in Neurological Research, researchers reported that coffee consumption is inversely associated with risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Coffee drinkers experienced a 30% reduction in risk for developing AD compared to those who didn’t drink coffee. In the CAIDE (Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia) study, drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day was associated with a significantly decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life compared with low coffee drinkers

A cuppa Joe protects the liver

The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances. There are many diseases that affect the liver. Diseases like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or chronic alcoholism, can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. 

In one study, the researchers found the mechanism of action of caffeine found in coffee on the lipids (fat) in the liver. Their findings suggest that drinking equivalent amounts of caffeine in four cups of coffee a day may help prevent and protect against fatty liver in humans. These results support other studies that coffee consumption can help reduce the progression of liver damage associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

There are other studies conducted in the United States and Italy found that people who drank four or more cups a day had up to an 80 percent lower risk of cirrhosis, especially the type brought on from alcohol consumption.

Best Source of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are “cleaners” and oxidizes free radicals in the body. They form harmless substances that can then be flushed out of the bloodstream and body, naturally. Coffee has more antioxidants than green and black teas and red wine. For people who eat a standard Western diet, coffee may be one of the healthiest aspects of their diet. That’s because coffee is quite high in antioxidants.

Studies show that many people get more antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and vegetables combined.  Some of the antioxidants found in Coffee are:

• Chlorogenic acid – an important antioxidant found almost exclusively in coffee thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Trigonelline is an antibacterial compound that not only gives coffee its wonderful aroma but is a factor in preventing tooth decay. 
• Polyphenols are plant compounds that also neutralize free radicals and may help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
• Hydroxycinnamic acids have antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and ultraviolet (UV) protective effects, that can act as anti-aging and anti-inflammatory agents.

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Coffee has many benefits. Not does coffee make your feel better – it can make you better.  Coffee can prevent diseases, making it more than just your morning ritual.

Stay safe out there!

Related article

• Soccer fans can now eat their coffee cups (Fast Company)

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.