By SAND Publicity Chair Allie Humenay
As college students, we would all like to think that coffee is good for our bodies, and according to recent studies, coffee can actually be beneficial in moderate amounts. In a study done by nutrition researcher, Walter Willett, results showed that people who drink 3-5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower mortality rate than those who do not drink coffee. (1) This is just one of many benefits of coffee. Some others include:
Coffee is a Metabolism Booster- About 1 cup of coffee can increase a person’s metabolism rate by 10%. In a study that tested the effects of caffeine on metabolism, subjects’ plasma free fatty acid levels increased when they consumed caffeine. This causes a person’s metabolic rate to also increase for a short period of time. (2)
Performing Enhancement- The caffeine in the coffee can allow a person to work out between 30-120 minutes longer than without caffeine. (1)
Coffee Contains Nutrients and Phytochemicals- Coffee beans contain lignans, quinides, and magnesium, which help reduce insulin resistance and inflammation, and, therefore, reduce the risk of diabetes. (1)(3) Lignans are a plant compound that can be beneficial for women’s estrogen levels, which can also lower the risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
Enhance in cognitive function- Studies also show that 200mg (~2 cups) is an optimal amount that can enhance cognitive functions like staying alert, memory, and attention span. It can also enhance a person’s mood in sleep deprived people. (1)
While coffee can be beneficial, too much of a good thing can lead to some disadvantages. If people consume too much coffee (+400mg of caffeine) it may interfere with sleep patterns and create feelings of unease. (1) It may also cause people to shake and to become unable to focus on a certain task. Drinking coffee in moderate amounts is good for the body, but is not needed for the body. So, for the non-coffee drinkers, you are not missing out on special benefits of coffee. For coffee lovers, drink in a moderate amount. Do not go overboard on the caffeine as it could lead to some unwanted consequences.
1.http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/16/456191657/drink-to-your-health-study-links-daily-coffee-habit-to-longevity
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7369170
3. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/02/lignans-save-lives.aspx
As college students, we would all like to think that coffee is good for our bodies, and according to recent studies, coffee can actually be beneficial in moderate amounts. In a study done by nutrition researcher, Walter Willett, results showed that people who drink 3-5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower mortality rate than those who do not drink coffee. (1) This is just one of many benefits of coffee. Some others include:
Coffee is a Metabolism Booster- About 1 cup of coffee can increase a person’s metabolism rate by 10%. In a study that tested the effects of caffeine on metabolism, subjects’ plasma free fatty acid levels increased when they consumed caffeine. This causes a person’s metabolic rate to also increase for a short period of time. (2)
Performing Enhancement- The caffeine in the coffee can allow a person to work out between 30-120 minutes longer than without caffeine. (1)
Coffee Contains Nutrients and Phytochemicals- Coffee beans contain lignans, quinides, and magnesium, which help reduce insulin resistance and inflammation, and, therefore, reduce the risk of diabetes. (1)(3) Lignans are a plant compound that can be beneficial for women’s estrogen levels, which can also lower the risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
Enhance in cognitive function- Studies also show that 200mg (~2 cups) is an optimal amount that can enhance cognitive functions like staying alert, memory, and attention span. It can also enhance a person’s mood in sleep deprived people. (1)
While coffee can be beneficial, too much of a good thing can lead to some disadvantages. If people consume too much coffee (+400mg of caffeine) it may interfere with sleep patterns and create feelings of unease. (1) It may also cause people to shake and to become unable to focus on a certain task. Drinking coffee in moderate amounts is good for the body, but is not needed for the body. So, for the non-coffee drinkers, you are not missing out on special benefits of coffee. For coffee lovers, drink in a moderate amount. Do not go overboard on the caffeine as it could lead to some unwanted consequences.
1.http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/16/456191657/drink-to-your-health-study-links-daily-coffee-habit-to-longevity
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7369170
3. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/02/lignans-save-lives.aspx