Photo Credit: by fancycrave1, Pixabay.com
Did you know that approximately 34 million Americans have diabetes? While this disease is widespread and common, it doesn’t make it any more pleasant of a journey to endure. Having diabetes requires lifestyle changes and a focus on your health. And, as you probably know, your diet is a major factor to consider when managing diabetes. What you consume (or don’t) can change how you feel and thrive on a daily basis.
In that vein, there has been a lot of recent research released about the effects of coffee on your overall health. It seems this simple brown water beverage can affect everything from your heart to diabetes, longevity, dementia, and more. Luckily, coffee is a super common drink, a beloved morning and afternoon habit enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
In fact, Drive Research recently released the findings of a survey connected to coffee, and some of the data might surprise you! Some of the key takeaways from their findings include:
* “3 in 4 Americans drink coffee every day
* 49% of people drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day
* 38% of Americans prefer their coffee unsweetened, while 49% use sugar
* 41% of people enjoy or prefer black coffee
* 68% of Americans make coffee at home every day
* 32% of consumers purchase coffee from a coffee shop 1 to 3 days a week”
If you’re a coffee fanatic, the statistics show you’re not alone! While you know about the enjoyable immediate effects of drinking your daily coffee, what you might not know is that it could be affecting your health in major ways. But don’t fear the worst: coffee actually might be doing you some major favors.
Read on to learn about the connection between coffee and diabetes, longevity, heart health, and more.
What different types of coffee can do for your health
You might think that having a preference in types of coffee is only for connoisseurs and coffee snobs. But in reality, you might want to know how different species of coffee plants can have different effects on your health.
An article in Sportskeeda states, “The coffee plant, Coffea, is a small evergreen shrub that produces the beans that are used to make coffee. The two main species of coffee plants are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is considered to be of higher quality, with a sweeter and more delicate flavor, while Robusta is known for its strong, bitter taste and higher caffeine content.”
While Arabica is the most popular type of coffee, many people drink Robusta around the world, too. What do you drink on a daily basis? You might want to take note that Arabica and Robusta can have different implications for your health. The article goes on to explain:
“Arabica coffee in moderate amounts can have several health benefits, such as:
* Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes: Studies have found that drinking Arabica coffee can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to the presence of chlorogenic acid, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
* Lowering the risk of heart disease: Arabica coffee is rich in antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.
* Lowering the risk of liver disease: Regularly drinking Arabica coffee has been found to lower the risk of liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
* Protecting against cancer: Arabica coffee contains compounds that have been found to have anti-cancer properties, such as chlorogenic acid and quinides.
* Boosting cognitive function: The caffeine in Arabica coffee can help to improve focus, memory, and overall cognitive function.”
It seems like Arabica coffee is a wonder plant! But don’t forget that Robusta has benefits and special properties of its own, too. The article reports that the benefits specific to Robusta can include:
* “Boosting energy levels: The high caffeine content in Robusta coffee can help to increase energy levels and improve physical performance.
* Aiding in weight loss: Caffeine in Robusta coffee can help boost the metabolism, aiding in weight loss.
* Lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes: Robusta coffee contains a compound called Chlorogenic acid which can help to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
* Improved cardiovascular health: The high levels of antioxidants found in Robusta coffee can help to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.
* Improved digestion: Robusta coffee contains a compound called Niacin which can help to improve digestion and prevent stomach ulcers.
* Improved physical performance: The caffeine found in Robusta coffee can help to improve physical performance and endurance, making it a popular choice among athletes.
* Protecting against certain diseases: Robusta coffee contains a compound called Trigonelline which can help to protect against certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
As you can see, coffee isn’t just a nice beverage to consume. It actually might have some serious health benefits to all who drink it. Moderate coffee consumption can do things like lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease, as well as protecting against some cancers.
Of course, eating or drinking any food in excess can lead to harm, but it seems your daily cup of joe is probably doing you a few unexpected favors.
What you need to know about coffee and diabetes
Everyone knows about the connection between sugar (blood sugar) and diabetes. You can see and feel the insulin spike in relation to consuming some sugar. Many people rely on diabetes medications such as Farxiga, Rybelsus, or Jardiance for their daily quality of life. Always consult your doctor before taking any prescription medications.
However, fewer people realize how coffee can affect a diabetes diagnosis. As you may or may not know, Type 2 diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin it does produce does not work properly. When this happens, your blood sugar can rise to dangerous levels and result in dramatic situations or even death. But did you know that coffee might be able to help?
In an article titled Drinking coffee regularly could reduce risk of type 2 diabetes by 53% in certain people, Express reports, “research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that [the risk of gestational diabetes] could be slashed by enjoying coffee. … This popular black drink has been previously linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in the general population. … The findings suggested that [pregnant women] who drank one cup of caffeinated coffee or less, two to three cups, and four and more cups a day, saw their risk of type 2 diabetes fall by 10 percent, 17 percent and 53 percent respectively.”
Believe it or not, coffee might have the power to ward off type 2 diabetes, both in the general population and in pregnant women at risk of developing gestational diabetes, specifically. No wonder coffee is beloved by so many!
Can coffee help you live longer? How coffee affects longevity
You might not think there’s any possible connection between coffee and how long you live, but recent research indicates otherwise.
According to a report from the European Society of Cardiology, a recent study found that “drinking two to three cups of coffee a day is linked with a longer lifespan and lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with avoiding coffee.”
This means that coffee might actually be good for your health and lead to a longer life. And the good news is that the findings applied to ground, instant, and decaffeinated varieties of coffee, so no matter what your coffee preference is, it seems you’re doing your health a favor by having your daily cup of joe!
But how much should you drink, exactly? The report states, “The greatest risk reduction [was] seen with two to three cups per day, which compared to no coffee drinking was associated with a 14%, 27% and 11% lower likelihood of death for decaffeinated, ground, and instant preparations, respectively.”
Enjoy your daily cup of coffee because it might be doing you some good beyond just the pleasure of this simple daily habit.
###
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *.