In addition to a diet that includes adequate and balanced nutrition from all food groups, the addition of some food types that contain plenty of antioxidants and bioactive components to the diet can bring very important benefits in terms of health.
One of the most widely known among them is coffee. Coffee, whose positive effects on health have been known for many years, is a valuable food type that should be consumed regularly for healthy individuals.
Benefits of coffee
Thanks to its beneficial components, coffee, which helps to improve general health, especially mental and cognitive functions, is also very effective in preventing many diseases.
Although it is known for its effects such as opening the mind, increasing alertness & energy level and providing vitality, the benefits of coffee are not limited to this. Coffee is one of the food types that is often the subject of scientific research on its benefits and effects on diseases.
Coffee, which is widely consumed as a beverage, is also a type of plant that is frequently used in skin care products.
Increases Energy Level and Strengthens Intelligence
Caffeine, which is abundant in coffee, quickly mixes with the blood and reaches the brain after consumption. By inhibiting the neurotransmitter adenosine, which is produced here and causes sleepiness, it increases alertness and increases energy level.
In this way, it prevents the fatigue felt during the day. It also increases work efficiency and concentration by opening the mind.
Thanks to this effect on the brain, there are many scientific studies showing that coffee also improves mood, memory, reaction time and cognitive functions in general.
Accelerates Fat Burning
Coffee is a very valuable food type that can help people who want to lose their excess weight achieve these goals.
This is because it significantly increases the metabolic rate, accelerating fat burning.Coffee, which helps to break down fats in the body and use the resulting free fatty acids in energy production, has a calorie content close to zero when consumed plain, despite these positive effects.
Increases Physical Performance
Caffeine in coffee causes a significant increase in the production of the hormone epinephrine. This hormone is a hormone that increases in situations of fear and excitement and prepares the human body for intense physical exertion.
In this way, a significant increase in physical performance is observed after coffee consumption. Likewise, since it accelerates fat burning, it contributes to increasing the energy level that the body needs for training.
It is beneficial for healthy individuals who are interested in sports activities and fitness to consume black coffee about half an hour before going to the gym.
Contains Important Micronutrients
Coffee is a beverage with high nutritional value and contains valuable micronutrients. A cup of coffee; It contains 11% of the daily requirement with riboflavin (vitamin B2), 6% of the daily requirement with pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 3% of the daily requirement with manganese and potassium minerals, and daily requirement of manganese and niacin (vitamin B3). meets 2% of the requirement. Therefore, it can be said that it is as nutritious as it is healthy.
Protects Against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Dementia Diseases
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia are neurodegenerative diseases that are frequently seen in individuals aged 65 and over worldwide.
In these diseases for which there is no known definite treatment, healthy nutrition and regular consumption of some types of food gains much more importance than many other types of diseases.
There are scientific studies showing that the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced by up to 65% and the probability of Parkinson’s disease can be reduced by 30-60% in those who regularly consume coffee, which is known to be very effective in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
Harms of coffee
Although coffee is a healthy and useful food, its consumption for people with certain diseases or taking medication, and excessive consumption for healthy individuals can cause some negativities.
Coffee consumption can cause palpitations in individuals with blood pressure, heart rhythm disorder, tachycardia and other heart diseases.
This negativity can also be seen in individuals who do not have any heart disease as a result of excessive coffee consumption. In patients with blood pressure, coffee consumption can cause blood pressure to rise.
As with all foods, coffee should be consumed in moderation. There are scientific studies showing that consumption of more than 3 cups of coffee per day can negatively affect fertility, and that consumption of more than 5 cups of coffee can lead to osteoporosis.
Again, excessive coffee consumption can lead to negative effects such as insomnia, tension, irritability and sensitivity. In people with anemia, excessive coffee consumption can exacerbate anemia as it reduces the absorption of iron in foods.
It is recommended that these individuals consult their physician about coffee consumption, and limit it to one cup when they consume it, and be careful not to coincide with the process 45 minutes before and after meals.
In addition, it is recommended to consume coffee plain or with only milk added. Since the content of fat and sugar is very high in coffees containing cream, sugar, syrup and instant milk powder, consumption of coffee in this way will cause more harm than good.
Coffee, which is also a diuretic, increases urine output. Due to this effect, it can cause fluid loss in people who do not consume enough water, and electrolyte imbalances in those with kidney and heart diseases.