Health Benefits of Black Coffee
What’s not to love about coffee? It tastes good. It smells great. It turns us into fully functional human beings so we can go about our day without wanting to bang our heads against the wall over and over again.
Yeah. Coffee is great.
Now it’s about to get even better. More research is coming to light about how black coffee comes with a litany of benefits. So grab a cup of joe, become a fully functional human being, and read on about all the great things black coffee can do for you.
1. Coffee Wakes You Up
An old adage goes, “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee.” There’s a reason for that. We aren’t as smart before that first cup.
When we drink coffee, our bloodstream absorbs the caffeine. The caffeine travels through the blood-brain barrier. It is here that the stimulant effects of coffee kick in.
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Upon arrival, caffeine blocks a neurotransmitter called adenosine. When adenosine enters the system, it sends a signal to the brain that we are tired, Therefore we become drowsy. Since adenosine is blocked by caffeine, we feel the opposite effect.
2. You Feel Happier
Seeing as caffeine inhibits adenosine, other neurotransmitters benefit. This includes dopamine. Dopamine controls the areas of the brain that interprets rewards and pleasure. So, when we produce dopamine, we naturally feel happier.
3. It Can Help Regulate Blood Pressure
One other neurotransmitter that benefits from a lack of adenosine is norepinephrine. Norepinephrine’s job is to counteract stress. This neurotransmitter can do things like increase heart rate, release glucose into the blood to create energy, and improve blood circulation to muscles.
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If the body is low on norepinephrine then it may cause heart disease and high blood pressure. When your heart isn’t beating up to its optimal level then blood in the arteries can become stagnant, causing debris and plaques to build up. In turn, this can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
4. Improves Your Memory
With so many neurotransmitters stimulating neurons in the brain, coffee has been shown to help improve memory. Another study confirmed that those who drank 1 to 2 cups of coffee a day had a lower rate of mild cognitive impairment than subjects who did not drink any. Due to these results, many doctors suggest caffeine may be effective in prolonging the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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5. Black Coffee Helps Burn Fat
Coffee is becoming an increasingly popular pre-workout drink. It wakes you up and puts you in a better mood, setting the stage for great workout session. However, coffee does more than as your gym companion. Caffeine can also help you burn fat.
Studies have shown that caffeine has the ability to boost your metabolic rate anywhere from 3% to 10%. That means you caffeine actively burns calories while your body is digesting it.
6. Promotes Healthy Liver
We’ve all put our livers through some hard times. Shame on us because our liver is essential for filtering toxins (among other important bodily functions). With time, our liver can become weaker.
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Ailments such as alcohol abuse, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis may cause lasting damage to this vital organ. This damage generates the disease, cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition where scar tissue overtakes the area where your liver resides.
Without a liver, our body cannot function optimally. Thankfully, our old friend coffee can help. Studies have found that compounds in caffeine can lower the risk of cirrhosis up to 80%. This is especially true for cases that cirrhosis derived from alcohol abuse. So, next hangover? Grab a cup of coffee.
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