The diet of human beings can affect many things. For example, what people consume can play a role in their digestion, metabolism, and mood. One of the most common beverages to human beings that affect various parts of their lives is coffee.
Origin of Coffee
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from different beans, which are the seeds of berries from the coffee plant. The genus Coffea is native to tropical Africa, and some can even be found near the Indian Ocean. Most coffee enthusiasts take a pilgrimage to these lands to taste the most genuine coffee globally.
The plant was then exported from Africa to countries worldwide, and now coffee is cultivated in many countries, such as the Americas, India, and Africa. The two most common beans are arabica and the hardy robusta.
Coffee is a highly agricultural process. When beans are ripe, they are picked, processed, and dried to yield the seeds. The seeds are then roasted depending on people’s tastes before they are grounded and prepared for human consumption. It is one of the most consumed types of beverage in the world, hence, its mass production.
Coffee can play a massive role in human health. Although most people think of coffee as a morning drink to get them going, there are several ways that coffee can affect your health for better or for worse.
Heart Health
Coffee has been shown to have many benefits for heart health. An extensive systematic review and meta-analysis of research on coffee and cardiovascular disease found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, including heart disease.
The researchers found that every cup of coffee consumed per day was associated with a lower risk of death from any cause. Moreover, every cup of coffee was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of death from stroke.
The researchers also looked at the effects of coffee on specific cardiovascular diseases and found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
Digestion
Coffee can also affect digestion. Coffee stimulates gastric acid production, which can help the body break down food and absorb nutrients more effectively. This effect can vary and depend on the coffee beans you are using. For example, Arabica beans tend to be more acidic than robusta coffee beans which can help you digest food much faster at the cause of increased stomach acidity.
Caffeine has also been shown to increase the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, which can help relieve constipation. However, too much coffee can have the opposite effect and lead to diarrhea.
Mental Health
Coffee has also been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. For example, coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of depression, and one study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to commit suicide.
Caffeine has also been shown to improve cognitive function and can help to improve memory, reaction time, and vigilance.
Weight Loss
Coffee can also help with weight loss. The caffeine in coffee can boost your metabolism and help your body to burn more fat. One study found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of obesity, and another study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to gain weight over some time.
Coffee can also help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. One large prospective study found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Another study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to develop the disease.
However, the overuse of coffee for weight loss can lead to weight gain and other health problems. It can also cause thinner gastric lining, which can lead to gastritis.
Cancer
Coffee has also been linked to a lower risk of cancer. One large prospective study found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, including cancer.
Coffee can reduce death from cancer because of various reasons. The first reason is that coffee contains antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. Another reason is that coffee can decrease inflammation which can lead to cancer.
The Bottom Line
Coffee can positively affect your health, but it is essential to remember that too much coffee can be harmful. If you are going to drink coffee, make sure to limit your intake to no more than 3-4 cups per day. You should also avoid adding sugar or cream to your coffee as these can add calories and fat.
