The Java Elixir: How Coffee is Beneficial

By Jessica Sotkovsky on November 2, 2015

Caffeinated drinks, most famously coffee, are borderline necessities in the lives of college students. Classes at 8 a.m. are nearly impossible without the sweet nectar of that latte or espresso, and late-night study sessions are much easier with a cup of joe to keep the gears moving.

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And yet, despite the widespread use of its benefits, coffee still gets a bad reputation, with claims that it brings about jittery stress and insomnia amongst other outlandish accusations. On the other hand, however, studies show that coffee actually brings more pros than cons to the table (literally).

When it comes to mental and physical health, coffee has shown to provide benefits to both. We’re not just talking about coffee keeping us awake after staying up too late binging on Netflix; we’re talking some serious studies showing a correlation between coffee drinking and diabetes, cardiovascular health, and cognitive functioning.

In fact, The American Heart Association did a study in 2013, which showed that moderate coffee drinking is actually related to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, which is contrary to myth that it increases risk of heart problems. Additionally, our beloved coffee has preventative effects on liver problems, strokes, and even Type 2 diabetes.

How about our brain? Well, coffee is loaded with caffeine, which is a stimulant our brains read as “full speed ahead.” The neurons react with the caffeine, causing the uplifted and alert feeling, and coffee helps with memory and concentration, making it an excellent addition to your study sessions. There’s a reason that coffee shops are crowded around universities!

It is important to note that you can’t expect these results by downing a McDonald’s frappe (which can total up to 670 calories and 97 carbs), so keep it simple with espresso or coffee, with a little cream and sugar if you need it.

Coffee has been around for centuries, but researchers are just now starting to understand the effects it has on our bodies. It’s a great medium for study sessions, dates, and relaxation, and now it is even considered a good addition to a healthy diet. Not to mention, it is an excellent alternative to energy drinks, which are high in sugar and a multitude of ingredient additives.

So, don’t feel bad about incorporating a delicious brew into your daily routine — as if you needed an excuse to do so anyways.

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