How Is Coffee Healthy? 9 Reasons

Studies show moderate coffee consumption comes with a host of benefits and can help stave off cardiovascular and other problems as part of a healthy lifestyle. Just avoid heavy cream and lots of sugar; the extra calories and cholesterol could cause more harm than good.

Coffee is a popular beverage and many of us can’t live without our daily dose. According to the National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT), 63% of American adults drink coffee daily. Once suspected to be a cancer-causing agent, the World Health Organization (WHO) has removed coffee from its possible carcinogen list. But is coffee good for you? Recent studies say yes. 

A 2015 study in the journal Circulation found that moderate coffee consumption (three to four cups daily) was associated with an 8 to 15 percent reduction in the overall risk of death. 

Other reported 9 health benefits of coffee include: 

• Alertness and performance
  • Caffeinated coffee has been found to have a beneficial effect on alertness and improved performance 
• Physical endurance
  • Studies have shown that caffeinated coffee improves physical endurance during exercises such as running and cycling 
  • It may also lower the perceived rate of exertion
• Cardiovascular disease 
  • A 2018 review found that a moderate intake of coffee may be beneficial for cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias
• Type 2 diabetes
  • Studies suggest that drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee each day is associated with about a 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to drinking less than 2 cups per day or no coffee at all
• Alzheimer’s disease 
  • Some studies have shown that regular coffee consumption over a lifetime can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
  • A 2018 literature review indicated that moderate coffee consumption may lower the risk for common neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease
• Certain cancers
  • Some studies found that drinking coffee may lower the risk of head and neck, colorectal, breast, uterine endometrium, and liver cancers
• Cirrhosis
  • Coffee may inhibit the onset of alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis
• Depression
  • One study found that increased caffeinated coffee consumption corresponded with a decreased risk for depression; more study is needed

In addition, black coffee contains a number of micronutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and niacin.