Let's start from the beginning. I've literally been drinking coffee since before I could walk. No, I'm not just over-exaggerating my love for a steaming, dark cup of coffee. I quite literally started drinking coffee as an infant on my mother's lap. It's just what happens when you're born into a very traditional Italian family... I guess?
So, ANYWAYS. My coffee addiction started in infancy and has only grown stronger as the days go by. I'm the girl that you shouldn't come in contact with before I've had my first cup in the morning. The one who drinks a cup of coffee before bed to sleep better. The girl, I'm not afraid to admit, who has been to Starbucks multiple times in one day.
I grew up hearing, "It's gonna stunt your growth!" from all of my school friends, but let's be real, the reason I'm only five feet tall is because of my genetics, not because of coffee. So when people try to feed you these lies about coffee being unhealthy while you're trying to enjoy your cup of joe (although drinking as much as I do may not be the healthiest), here's a few arguments for you to fight back with:
Coffee makes you smarter.
Ok, not directly, but it does improve your mental and overall brain function. The effect of caffeine on the brain helps you focus on, process, and retain information better and faster. Its beneficial effects on memory help reduce the chance of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease too. A study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease states that people who drink 3-5 cups of coffee per day have a 65% decreased risk of Alzheimer's. So, when people say they need a cup of coffee to get through the workday, they really mean it!
Coffee can improve the effects of diabetes.
Certain elements in coffee block the chemical process that leads to type 2 diabetes. It has an effect on insulin that improves blood sugar levels and has been linked to a reduced craving for sugars and sweets!
Coffee lowers your risk of depression.
Certain chemicals in coffee affect the neurotransmitters in the brain that improve blood flow, mental function, and increased focus and awareness. A team at Harvard found that women who drink four or more cups of coffee a day have decreased their chance of developing depression by 20%. And, it even has a mild sedative effect that relaxes tension and eases stress. Coffee = happiness.
Coffee can improve your workouts.
Most people refuse to eat before a workout, so, instead, drink a cup of coffee! It will stabilize your insulin levels to keep your blood sugar steady, give you energy, take away hunger pains, and improve the length of time you're able to workout. Instead of pre-workout, try to get the job done with a cup of coffee!
Coffee improves your body's blood flow.
Plain and simple. Coffee improves your blood flow, the use of your muscles, and can increase your body's ability to move throughout the day.
Coffee keeps you regular.
Coffee has high amounts of soluble dietary fiber as well as magnesium, potassium, folate, and phosphorous. It increases blood flow to the bowels, which can relieve constipation.
Coffee improves the health of your liver.
Research shows that one to two cups a day lowers your risk of developing liver cancer by 43%. It has an antioxidant, chlorogenic acid, which protects against cirrhosis, especially in people who drink large quantities of alcohol.
Coffee lowers your risk for skin and breast cancer.
Flavanoids in caffeine inhibit the formation of UVB-induced tumors. Applying it topically can repair the damage that UV rays have already done to your skin.
Some of my favorite coffees are Starbucks Caramel, Dunkin' Hazelnut and Gevalia French Roast. They are so yummy! Try them for yourself and let me know what you think!
For more coffee scoop, check out Weight Watchers Low-Point Coffee Creamers Guide and How to Make the Perfect Coffee Protein Shake!
Mary Beth Elderton says
Thank you! I guess old school Louisiana grandmothers might be something like Italian families--I have also been drinking coffee since before I can remember.