Five Health Benefits of Coffee

August is National Wellness Month and so it's the perfect time to learn more about some of the health benefits of coffee. It's also important to note that this is for black coffee. Once you start adding in all of the milks, sugars and syrups, the benefits may not be as relevant. That being said, one of the things we take a lot of pride in our coffee is that our coffee is really easy to drink black. Over the years, as we have sampled our coffee at trade shows, farmers markets and at our stores, we serve it with out the added milks and sugars. Drinking coffee this way is the best way to really grab the tasting notes of the coffee. Almost every time we sample our coffee, we get the reaction "Wow! I don't even need to add any cream or sugar!" Well, that's our goal. We want you to be able to drink your coffee without all of the added "crap". This also does the farmers justice in showcasing the coffee that they worked so hard to produce.

1. Coffee Can Improve Mental Health

Raise your hand if you can't start your day without coffee? By this I mean, "Don't talk to me until I have my cup of coffee!" Well, typically a 12 oz cup of coffee has between 100-200 milligrams of caffeine in it. According to the American Medical Association, caffeine stimulates dopamine which in turn helps to stimulate your brain, increasing motivation, pleasure and your mood. It has also been shown to help patients with depression. As such, doctors typically recommend 1- 2 12 oz cups each morning. 

2. Coffee Can Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, regular drinkers of coffee have a lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes than non-coffee drinkers. They link this to the polyphenols and magnesium in coffee, which helps improve the effectiveness of insulin and glucose metabolism in the body.

3. Coffee Can Help Reduce Liver Conditions

The World Health Organization confirmed recently that coffee lowers liver conditions including fibrosis and cirrhosis. It also helps reduce the risk of liver cancer. They went a step further and said the method that the coffee was prepared such as filtered, instant or as an espresso had the same effect. So your your coffee using any brew method you'd like!

4. Coffee Helps With Weight Loss and Metabolism

The next time you hit the gym, preface your work out with a cup of coffee or even a shot of espresso. Studies have shown that people who drank coffee prior to a work out burn about 15% more calories!

5. Coffee Reduces Cellulite

The caffeine in coffee helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow which helps to minimize the appearance of cellulite. It also helps with skin tightening, which is why more and more skin care companies are coming up with coffee scrubs and coffee based creams. 

These are just some of the health benefits of coffee and while this article is based on published research, it is always best to refer to your own personal physician for more details about how coffee may benefit you.