International Coffee Day falls on the 1st October 2022 making October a great opportunity for coffee lovers to share their love of coffee and to celebrate coffee and the coffee sector’s diversity, quality and passion.
Many of us have been frequently heard saying that we cannot function without our cup of coffee and its ability to fine-tune our focus and boost our energy levels. It is difficult to imagine a day without it!
The good news is that coffee has several other benefits apart from providing our much-needed energy boost due to it containing caffeine including antioxidants and other substances which protect against diseases.
Interesting Facts About Coffee
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the coffee industry has changed with increased demand by the consumer to be able to enjoy their favourite coffee orders in the comfort of their homes.
According to Uber Eats, the average amount spent on coffee orders per month on their app doubled in April 2020. Uber Eats found that coffee lattes, followed by americanos, espressos, frappes and cappuccinos are the five most popular coffee options.
Coffee is the second most popular drink in the world after water, with Starbucks being the largest coffee chain in the world and Nescafe being the largest coffee brand in the world.
Brazil is currently the largest producer of coffee in the world, producing almost double the amount of the second largest producer, Vietnam.
Arabica and Robusta beans make up 99 percent of coffee consumed. While coffee beans got their name due to the fact that they look like legumes, they are actually pits of berries.
Finland, in Northern Europe, consumes the most coffee in the world. Most adults in Finland drink an average of 27.5 pounds of coffee per year – this equates to 2.56 cups of coffee per person per day.
It is interesting to note that decaf coffee isn’t completely caffeine-free and you can still get anywhere from 2 to 12 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
A normal cup of coffee has around 95 mg of caffeine per cup. There continues to be an increase in interest and demand for ethically sourced coffee.
Nine Benefits of Drinking Coffee – Reasons why the Right Amount of Coffee is Good for You!
1. Boosts Energy Levels
Coffee contains Caffeine which is a central nervous system stimulant that is known to fight fatigue and increase energy levels. It does this by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Caffeine blocks the receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine. This results in an increase in the levels of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine which regulates your energy levels resulting in increased energy levels and reduced feelings of fatigue.
2. The chance that it is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes
Consuming coffee regularly may be associated with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the long term.
The link, between a lower risk and coffee consumption, still needs to be thoroughly researched as to whether it is due to the coffee’s ability to preserve the function of the beta cells in the pancreas.
It is these beta cells that are responsible for producing insulin which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Coffee is rich in antioxidants which have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity, inflammation and metabolism.
3. Could support brain health
Coffee could help protect against certain neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as well as slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Coffee may also help those with Parkinson’s have better control of their movements. Moderate coffee intake of two to three cups a day could be associated with a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
4. It may help with weight management
Coffee could alter fat storage and support gut health, both of which are beneficial for weight management. Decreased body fat due to higher coffee intake was found in men and women.
5. Linked to a lower risk of depression
Even just one cup of coffee a day can lower your risk of depression and drinking coffee has even been linked to a lower risk of death by suicide.
6. Coffee could support liver health and protect against disease
Drinking coffee is linked to lower rates of liver scarring and liver cancer in people with liver disease. Increased coffee intake actually lowers a patient’s risk of death from chronic liver disease.
Both decaf and regular coffee seem to have the same protective effect and people who drink coffee are more likely to have liver enzymes within a healthy range.
8. You could live for longer
Coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death including heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
One of the reasons is that dark roast coffee decreases breakages in DNA strands. Drinking coffee can also decrease your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
9. May enhance athletic performance
Coffee helps to improve performance and increase energy levels resulting in improved athletic performance and endurance.
When Should You Avoid Drinking Coffee?
It is especially important that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children, adolescents and adults with certain health conditions, should avoid completely or limit their intake of coffee.
It is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to check with their obstetrician before adding caffeine to their diet.
Caffeine tolerance is different for everyone. Because coffee does contain caffeine, which is a stimulant, drinking too much could lead to headaches, shaking, anxiety and increased heart rate and blood pressure and has been linked to hallucinations.
The caffeine in coffee can make you struggle to sleep and keep you up at night. It is advised that coffee is avoided up to 6 hours before bedtime.
How Much Coffee Can You Drink?
Drinking coffee in moderation has been associated with several health benefits and is generally considered safe for most adults. Moderate coffee intake is classified as approximately three to four cups per day.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is safe for most adults to drink a moderate amount of coffee a day with a maximum intake of 400 milligrams of caffeine.
Caffeine content can vary depending on the type of coffee, but an average 250ml cup has 95 milligrams.
You can still get some of the potential health benefits by drinking only one cup of coffee a day or even choosing to drink decaf coffee.
You must also be aware of what is added to your daily cup of coffee. Black coffee with no additional creamers or sweeteners added contains less than 5 calories per cup.
Another option, if black coffee does not appeal to you, is instead of sugar or flavoured syrups use low-calorie sweeteners or add a dash of cinnamon, vanilla extract, honey, naturally sweet spices and flavourings or cocoa powder for flavour.
Always remember before you load up on cream and sugar, that what you add to your coffee makes a difference in how healthy the beverage really is.
For many people, drinking their daily cup of coffee is an enjoyable part of their day and, when enjoyed in moderation, can provide a variety of benefits.
Always be mindful of the importance of eating a balanced diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight which has a greater effect on your health. But drinking coffee is a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.
Yours in Wellness
Thandi and the Empact Team