Health benefits of coffee

In addition to tasting great, a cup of coffee (or two...or three...) has many health benefits.

Coffee is full of antioxidants

Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, which can cause damage to DNA and cells. Reducing the damage from free radicals can lower your risk for heart disease and cancer.A study by the University of Scranton conducted in 2005 estimates that Americans get more antioxidants from coffee than any other food or beverage.

Coffee can help prevent type II diabetes

An 18 year long Harvard Medical School study of 126,000 people determined that coffee drinkers lower the risk of developing type II diabetes. The more coffee you drink, the greater the benefits. Those drinking 1-3 cups lowered their risk by 1-10% percent. Those drinking 6 or more cups lowered their risk by 30-54% percent.

A Finnish study found that those drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 27-29%.

Coffee can help prevent Parkinson's Disease

Several different studies have indicated that a cup of coffee a day can reduce your risk for Parkinson's Disease by 60- 80%.

Coffee can help prevent colon cancer

Two cups of coffee a day can reduce your risk for colon cancer by 25%. A compound called methylpyridinium is responsible for the risk reduction and is found only in coffee.

Coffee can help prevent gallstones

A Harvard study of 45,000 people over a decade showed that men who drank four or more cups of coffee a day cut their risk for gallstones in half.

Coffee can help prevent liver damage

Drinking four cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis by 30%.

A study at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo found that those who drank 1-3 cups of coffee a day were half as likely to develop liver cancer.

Coffee can help prevent asthma attacks

The caffeine in coffee helps open up the airways so asthma sufferers have fewer attacks. Caffeine is similar to a drug called theophylline used in many asthma remedies.

Coffee can lower the risk for depression and suicide

A decade long study of 80,000 American women by Harvard Medical School showed that women who drank 2-3 cups of coffee were 1/3 less likely to commit suicide than those who drank no coffee. Coffee may also combat mild forms of depression. 

Coffee improves concentration, alertness, and focus

Coffee can help you focus better on your work and more readily absorb new information. The caffeine in coffee can help you remain more alert for extended periods.

Coffee can improve your performance in sports

The caffeine in coffee can improve endurance, so may be helpful for cyclists, long distance runners, swimmers, or other athletes that play sports requiring great stamina. The effect of caffeine on performance is so pronounced that the Olympic committee actually considers it a controlled substance and limits how much coffee athletes can consume during the games.

Information gathered courtesy of Redding Roasters Coffee Company of Bethel, CT. Visit our main site to see our selection of fair trade and organic coffees. Or stop into our shop to watch us roast coffee and taste a sample.