Sure, we love the notorious aroma. The way it wakes us up on groggy mornings. The way it warms us up on cool mornings. The entire ritual of it. There are many reasons coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages.

But did you know that coffee also has proven health benefits? Here, we’ll look at the benefits of coffee and why it may be good for more than just helping you wake up in the morning.

 

5 Proven Health Benefits of Coffee

 

1. Coffee Can Improve Physical Performance

Coffee raises epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) levels in the blood. Known as the fight-or-flight hormone, epinephrine prepares the body for intense physical activity.

Caffeine also mobilizes fatty acids by breaking down fat, making these fatty acids available to use as fuel.

By increasing epinephrine levels and breaking down fat into fatty acids to use as fuel, coffee can help improve athletic performance. Due to these effects, it is worth seeing if you notice any positive effects from enjoying a cup of coffee about half an hour before working out.

 

2. Coffee Can Improve Reaction Times and Energy Levels

Upon drinking coffee, the caffeine gets absorbed into the bloodstream before traveling to the brain. In the brain, caffeine works by blocking adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

This process allows other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine to increase and promote improved firing of neurons.

Many studies prove that coffee has a positive impact on energy levels, reaction time, mood, and general mental function.

 

3. Coffee Can Make You Smarter

Along with helping to keep you awake, caffeine coffee may also make you smarter. As with improved energy levels and reaction times, this effect comes from the caffeine found in coffee that blocks the effects of adenosine.

By blocking the inhibitory effects of adenosine, caffeine can promote neuron firing in the brain and help support the release of other neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine.

Many studies have demonstrated caffeine’s ability to temporarily improve brain function, memory, focus, and mood. Other studies point to coffee’s ability to help support brain health as we age.

 

4. Coffee Contains Antioxidants and Essential Nutrients

Coffee beans are bursting with nutrients, many of which end up in brewed coffee. While caffeine is coffee’s most notorious compound, coffee is loaded with nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Some individuals obtain more antioxidants from coffee than they do from fruits and vegetables!

Here are some of the star nutrients in coffee:

• Alkaloids – Although caffeine is coffee’s most well-known alkaloid, trigonelline is another alkaloid found in coffee that may offer health benefits.
• Polyphenols – Polyphenols, found in other plants such as blueberries, are good for your heart, brain, and more. Coffee contains a class of polyphenols known as chlorogenic acids.
• Diterpenes – Coffee contains kahweol and cafestol, two types of diterpenes, a natural fatty substance that gets released during brewing. These compounds are believed to contribute to heart health.
• Melanoidins – Melanoidins are formed from the high temperatures used in the roasting process. These compounds are responsible for the flavor, aroma, and color of coffee. Melanoidins may have a prebiotic effect on the gut.

Other vitamins and minerals found in coffee:

• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Niacin (vitamin B3)
• Thiamin (vitamin B1)

 

5. Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat

Have you ever looked at the labels on commercial fat burning supplements? If you have, you’ve most likely noticed a common ingredient: caffeine. And there is good reason for coffee’s inclusion in many popular weight loss supplements.

Caffeine is one of the very few natural ingredients that naturally possess proven fat-burning effects. It works by stimulating the nervous system to break down body fat. Some studies have even found that caffeine can boost your metabolic rate between 3 to 11%!

Caffeine also acts as a stimulant on the nervous system, helping to provide a boost to the metabolism.

 

How Do I Choose the Healthiest Coffee?

It is important to choose high-quality coffee to ensure you are obtaining the most health benefits. Look for a gourmet brand of coffee that is Fair Trade, free of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners, and slow-roasted and cool ground.

Take the benefits of coffee even further with Isagenix coffee, a premium, delicious blend of fairly traded coffee beans paired with coconut medium-chain triglycerides, trace minerals, and green tea.

Each batch is produced in single, artisanal batches and never over-roasted, ensuring maximum nutrient preservation, flavor, and freshness. Isagenix only uses coffee beans that have undergone extensive testing to ensure the lowest possible levels of pesticides or toxins.

 

What To Avoid When Drinking Coffee

As with many things in life, it is possible to drink too much coffee. While caffeine tolerance varies from person to person, the Dietary Guidelines of America state that caffeine intake should be limited to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day.

The average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine, so keep this in mind when enjoying coffee. It is also possible to still reap some of the coffee’s health benefits by drinking just one cup a day. Although caffeine is responsible for many of coffee’s health benefits, decaf coffee has health benefits as well.

Also, it is important to remember that adding a bunch of sugar or cream to your coffee can quickly negate its health benefits. Instead, try flavoring your coffee with naturally sweet add-ins and spices such as:

• Pure vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Extra virgin coconut oil
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Grass-fed butter
• Cocoa powder

Also, be sure to avoid drinking coffee later in the day as caffeine’s effects last for hours and harm your sleep.

 

Final Thoughts

Your daily cup (or two!) of coffee can help boost your energy levels, improve fat burning, boost physical performance, and even help your brain.

While coffee offers some amazing health benefits, many other factors such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet are also important factors in staying as healthy as possible.

Also, be sure to check out where the coffee beans in your coffee are sourced from, how it is roasted, and ensure that the beans are certified fair trade. Higher quality coffee will boast even more antioxidants and nutrients thanks to superior bean quality, lower toxins, and enhanced nutrient preservation.

Are you a fan of coffee? Have you noticed any health benefits from drinking it? If you have any questions about Isagenix coffee or what Isagenix supplements can help you reach your weight and wellness goals, please feel free to reach out to our team today.

If you are looking for more health and wellness tips, easy and healthy recipe ideas, or to learn more about Isagenix products, check out our regularly updated blog.