Who doesn't love a cup of coffee? According to the National Coffee Association, Americans drink an estimated 517 million cups of coffee every single day, making it the most popular beverage besides water. For as long as we can remember, people have debated whether or not coffee is healthy for you. But according to a new study, it might just help you live longer!
Years of studies suggest that a few of coffee's main active compounds, such as caffeine, could actually keep inflammation and chronic health conditions at rest. There is "not really enough strong data to recommend people to drink more coffee," according to Dr. Chip Lavie, the medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and preventive cardiology at the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans - but people sure do love their cup of Joe.
In a study done by the National Coffee Association, 84% of coffee consumers enjoy their cup of Joe with breakfast. Why? Most people enjoy their first cup for its caffeine benefits! Caffeine affects the central nervous system by blocking signals in the brain that usually lessen its activity. However, caffeine can cause nervousness, insomnia, increased heart rate, and more. It is commonly noted that caffeine "seems bad," but according to most data, regular caffeine is safe for consumption, and according to the Progress on Cardiovascular Diseases study, "Habitual coffee consumption is also associated with lower risks for cardiovascular (CV) death." There are plenty of well-documented studies associating the positive effects of coffee on the heart as well.
Sponsored
According to a 2017 study in the British Medical Journal, drinking coffee lowers the risks of liver scarring, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer. The main caffeine metabolite suppresses the molecule that affects the progression of fibrosis and tumors, limiting these diseases for coffee drinkers. Studies have even tied coffee drinkers to an increased life expectancy! In two studies conducted in 2017, researchers concluded that those drinking, both caffeinated or decaffeinated, coffee every day had a longer life expectancy of about 16 years. So, with that in mind, we'll be enjoying our morning cup of eco-friendly coffee right about now!
Related
