International Coffee Day: 10 health perks of coffee to debunk its bad reputation

Hello my dears! In honor of International Coffee Day, let's talk the joys of java. I want to debunk caffeine's bad reputation by sharing 10 health benefits of coffee. So obviously, too much can cause the java jitters, sleep problems and possibly heart issues. But so can a lot of foods that might surprise you. Like grapes and oranges. Especially if you're premenstrual, ladies. However, the humble coffee bean has all kinds of health benefits which by my math outweigh dangers. And as in all things, we're talking moderation here: a pint of coffee vs a gallon  (ahem, husband, I'm looking over my glasses at you here 😂) So this list is based on science but also personal experience. 

Coffee perks you up, pun intended! By blocking adenosine receptors (good guys overall, but not so much if you need to be awake.) Check the NIH link for the geek speak on this topic. For plebs like me, all I need to know is that coffee wakes you up without the dangers of a pharma approach. It's important to note that these effects are temporary and a caffeine jolt should not be routinely used as substitute for good sleep. 

Coffee, or more specifically caffeine, increases alertness, energy and even productivity, reaction times and concentration. By blocking adenosine receptors coffee wards off not only sleepiness but also those so-difficult feelings of grogginess, sluggishness and mental confusion. However, the down side is that this wakefulness hits a peak after two cups of coffee or so. Continuing to chug the caffeine sends you into a downwards spiral of shaky irritability and decreased attention span and even tiredness. So you actually lose ground.  

Coffee is a pain reliever. It shrinks blood vessels and reduces inflammation. It's great for a morning headache, for example. It helps my chronic pain issues from fused vertebrae. But again, only in the 2-3 cup range. After that I'm amped, anxious and nervous which can actually increase pain. 

Coffee helped me lose weight. It's part of how I lost 100 pounds. Caffeine works in three ways to boost weight loss. It's an appetite suppressant, source of antioxidants and boosts metabolism by aiding in the breakdown of sugar. 

Coffee energizes liver functioning by impacting healthy insulin production. As a diuretic, it helps you pee out toxins. I got my liver numbers healthier by losing weight which I achieved in part with coffee and green tea supplements. 

Coffee in moderation improves my mood by reducing pain and giving focus, which then aids endurance and mental clarity.

Coffee reduces Type 2 diabetes risk. Because it improves insulin production, it prevents metabolic syndrome, also called insulin resistance. I was headed toward prediabetes before I lost 100 pounds. And again, drinking coffee helped curb hunger and more efficiently process sugar. 

Coffee can reduce risk of cancers like colorectal, prostate and endometrial. 

Coffee has been linked lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's Disease. 

Coffee is good for building gut bacteria. With its antioxidants and polyphenols, caffeine improves digestion. Again moderation is important because the acids in coffee can worsen an ulcer. So you have to know your own body. 

And that's a good thing to end with: the essential nature of listening to one's self. If your body is telling caffeine making things worse or if it's warning you that you are having trouble controlling your intake, pay attention. Your body loves you and wants what's best for you.