Monday Motivation: "Coffee is Healthy!" (In Moderation)
Today's health tip comes from the podcast from ZOE, "Is Coffee Healthy?". They dive into the origins of coffee, the health benefits, and the recommended daily intake. I'll try to give you the 5 minute version!
Many people have been told coffee is bad for us. But what if I told you there was a country where 8 year old kids are being served coffee daily. Yes, in this particular culture, kids consuming coffee is completely normal and shows no health risk. So you're probably wondering.. how can coffee be nutritious and actually healthy for us?! Let's take a closer look!
Source: https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2019/brewing-coffee-without-the-bean/
1) Coffee contains polyphenols
Polyphenols are organic compounds that are often found in plants and contain anti-oxidating properties that have been known to help protect cell damage against oxidative stress. According to the ZOE podcast, polyphenols "act like rocket fuel to your gut microbes." This is a good thing! Coffee aids in digestion and protective measures against toxins entering the body.
2) Coffee is a source of fiber
This was one of the most fascinating things I learned during the podcast! 3-4 cups of coffee per day is actually a great way to take in almost half of the recommended daily fiber intake. I guess this explains why for many of us, coffee acts as a "stimulator" to our digestive system. Often times we plan our bathroom breaks around our coffee consumption. It makes sense why now!!
3) Coffee reduces several health risks
According to Cleveland Clinic, multiple studies and researchers have found coffee drinkers to be associated with less risk to the following health concerns:
Type 2 Diabetes
Alzheimer's
Liver Disease
Cancer
Depression
As you can see, coffee has several health benefits and is encouraged to be a part of your daily routine. As with anything, coffee should be consumed in moderation. According to both Cleveland Clinic & the ZOE podcast, after about 4-5 cups of coffee you start to lose some of these benefits.
So, to answer the burning question: How much coffee should I have each day?
The simple answer seems to be about 3-4 cups is healthy, but this obviously varies person to person. Jitteriness and sleep deprivation are signs of too much caffeine. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you may be at risk of too much caffeine intake.
Source: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-health-benefits-of-coffee/
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