My husband, on the other hand, can't even function without at least two cups every morning. He's come a long way from guzzling his 6 jumbo-sized-coffee-laden-with-sugar habit when I met him.
Caffeine, like so many other chemicals, is a drug that you can live without. But you have to weigh the pros and cons of caffeine consumption with the natural benefits coffee can provide. Caffeine—as we all know—gives you that boost of energy, but it also may help you stay sharp. It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients (vitamins B2, B3, B5, magnesium, manganese, and potassium) that can improve your health.
Studies have shown that coffee may actually help reduce your risk of cancer, including prostate, liver, and skin cancers, as well as lessening the effects of depression by up to 20%. "Drinking a few cups of coffee a day could lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by as much as 25 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease."
"Coffee may be protective against type 2 diabetes. Researchers at UCLA identified that drinking coffee increases plasma levels of the protein sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG controls the biological activity of the body's sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) which play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes."
"Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard School of Public Health, concluded that drinking coffee in moderation protects against heart failure. They defined 'in moderation' as 2 European cups (equivalent to two 8-ounce American servings) per day."
So... for those of you who can handle the jitters, coffee, in moderation, may be a good thing after all.
P.S. You may also like My Favorite Starbucks and Natural Beauty.
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