Coffee, the world’s third most popular drink –after water and tea- is known for its ability to improve cognitive mental function, lift your mood, enhance mental functions, clarity and focus, eliminate brain fog, elevate your motivation and act as a stimulant.
In fact, it is so powerful and addictive that most people drink multiple cups a day just to get their fix and stay alert. With over 130 million daily coffee drinking Americans and about 1.6 billion cups taken every day around the world, it can be said that coffee arguably makes the world go round.
Why? Because most people probably wouldn’t earn as much as they do or get as much done as they do without this amazing beverage. For many people however, this is the limit of their knowledge about coffee –a stimulant that keeps them alert and boosts their productivity and tastes great too.
However, there are multiple health benefits of drinking coffee on a daily basis. This is possible because of the abundant presence of antioxidants in coffee. Research carried out by the University of Granada has shown the antioxidants in coffee to be 500 times more potent than that of antioxidants found in vitamin c.
In fact, studies have shown a link between daily coffee intake and reduced risk of uterine and liver cancers, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
For instance, there are studies that have linked the consumption of six cups of coffee daily to a 65 percent reduction in risk of prostate cancer in men. It could also help inhibit the presence of certain proteins commonly found in people suffering from lung cancer.
In 2016, the World Health Organization reported that coffee may not only protect people against certain types of cancers, it can actually increase longevity among frequent coffee drinkers. This is probably because of its role in fighting damaged cells, eliminating free radicals and toxin build up in your body.
Types Of Antioxidants Properties In Coffee
In this short guide to coffee’s antioxidants, you will find out the various antioxidants that are found in every spoon of coffee, and what their functions are in your body.
Caffeic Acid
This is has been linked to the increased release of insulin when accompanies by some glucose, resulting in higher glucose uptake into cells and lower blood sugar, thus lowering the risk of the individual becoming diabetic or even playing a role in the treatment of diabetes.
Caffeic acid is found in many other plants including artichoke, berries and apples. It is however, more abundantly found in coffee. Studies involving Caffeic acid has shown that it might be effective in slowing down the growth of cancer cells or killing them.
It also plays a role in minimizing fatigue after exercise, acts as an effective antioxidant that aggressively eliminates free radicals, lowers oxidative stress, and may prevent cardiovascular disease.
Chlorogenic Acid
As one of coffee’s many polyphenols, Chlorogenic Acid may be effective at helping people lose weight while they’re sleeping. A recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that people who took chlorogenic acid supplements, broke down 50 percent more fat when they were asleep compared to those who didn’t.
Even better, those who took beverages containing the compound found it easier to fall asleep. This biological antioxidant is very effective at counteracting the harmful effects of oxidative stress and free radicals in the body.
Cafestol
Cafestol is commonly found in coffee, even after the caffeine has been removed. This is effective at regulating the amount of bile in your intestine at every point in time. It also functions as an anti-inflammation agent, particularly in the brain.
It has also been shown to induce cell death in malignant pleural mesothelioma cancer cells and suppresses their viability. It is because of cafestol that coffee is often referred to as an anti-carcinogenic beverage.
Another common function was to help reduce instances of insulin resistance, while increasing the amounts of insulin present in the blood. As a result, people who drank more coffee were more likely to have lower blood sugar levels owing to the activities of cafestol.
Trigonelline
Responsible for coffee’s bitter taste, this compound has been linked to a lower diabetes risk in people who take them by lowering insulin resistance, and increasing the uptake of glucose into cells in the body.
It has also been shown to exhibit anti tumor activities, help with weight loss, and lowers the risk of tooth decay by preventing the growth of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes the breakdown of food and dental ridge in the mouth.
Trigonelline typically breaks down in niacin when the coffee beans is roasted, thus making it a pretty decent source of Vitamin B3. It may also help reduce instance of system inflammation.
Melanoidin
As a powerful antimicrobial compound, Melanoidin exhibits both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It is effective at eliminating at salmonella, may slow down liver disease, may prevent colon cancer, and even stop or prevent the growth and metastases of cancer tumors.
It is responsible for the characteristic brown colour of coffee, acts as a powerful antioxidant that eliminates free radicals from your body’s cells, and even removes heavy metals from your body. It may also be effective at lowering blood pressure, as well as reducing diabetes related complications.
Hydroxycinnamic Acid
As a potent phytonutrient, this has incredible anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidative properties.
It has been found to effectively eliminate free radicals from the body, prevent arteriosclerosis, lower blood fat, eliminate triglycerides or low density lipoprotein (LDL), can serve as an anticoagulant –lowers the risk of blood clotting which can cause stroke, and may lower your blood pressure.
Other benefits include the prevention of osteoporosis by strengthening your bones, unblocking or preventing the blockage of arteries, and may prevent cancer.
Caffeine
Caffeine gets such a bad rap these days. Yet, it’s one of the most important and popular compounds that we depend on to have a productive day, stay alert and focused.
Caffeine is linked to improved mental clarity and alertness, detoxifying the liver, colon cleansing, reduced risk of diabetes, aids muscle recovery after workouts, boosts energy, and has anti-carcinogenic properties.
It might also prevent cardiovascular disease if taken in the right amounts along with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, may help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, aids stamina and endurance during strength training and high intensity workouts, gets rid of free radicals from the body, and reduces inflammation both inside and outside the body.
Tannic Acid
Sometimes referred to as gallotanic acid, this isn’t as abundant in coffee as it is in black tea. It has also been linked to possible uses as an anticancer agent, and may help relieve joint pains.
It can also help protect your skin from cancer through its protective mechanisms. It’s also effective at lowering blood cholesterol, thus reducing your risk of arteriosclerosis or other heart related diseases.
Eugenol, Isoeugenol, and Gamma-tocopherol
Not only is eugenol partly responsible for coffee’s great taste, it is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that it has the capacity to reduce inflammation in the body by as much as 15-30 percent.
It’s also an active antibacterial agent as well as possibly anti-carcinogenic too. All three combined together are very effective at getting rid of free radicals usually caused by oxidative stress.
As you can see, many of these ingredients that are integral parts of your coffee, have similar attributes and are effective at keeping you healthy and eliminating crap from your body. This is why coffee is so potent as an antioxidant. All of these antioxidants work together to dislodge all those toxic wastes and free radicals.
Finally, please understand that regardless of its benefits, you need to take your coffee in moderation. Research has shown that 400mg of caffeine daily is just about right for the average individual.
So, remember this even while aiming to get the most benefits out of your coffee. One other important thing to take note of is the temperature at which you drink your coffee. Certain studies have indicated that drinking coffee at certain high temperatures is likely to increase your risk oesophageal cancer and other throat related cancers.
This is because of the burning along the alimentary canal. In fact, this isn’t just limited to coffee, it applies to other drinks like teas and hot substances.
That said, drink your coffee, have fun with and enjoy its many benefits. Coffee will make you healthier and improve your overall sense of well-being. Now that you know all these, you need to stop reading and grab another cup of joe right away.
