It seems like coffee has a bad publicist. It is constantly getting slandered and put down while the masses hold up green tea as the be all end all of hot delicious beverages (I’m not putting down green tea – I love it). Today I just wanted to highlight some of the ways our good friend Java (and its partner in crime caffeine) improves our health and lives.
- Research from Harvard shows that increased coffee consumption and greatly reduce your risk for type two diabetes
- The antioxidants in coffee can reduce inflammation and risk for heart disease
- The antioxidants in coffee have been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol)
- Caffeine increase dopamine levels which makes you sharper and more alert
- Caffeine increases brain activity [and reduces morning fog <--that's not a scientific finding just my observation
] - Many people shy away from regular coffee and opt for decaf thinking they are making a healthier choice but decaf coffee has significantly lower levels of antioxidants.
- Caffeine has been shown to accelerate your body’s ability to repair blood vessel walls (that’s cool).
- Coffee has been shown to reduce rick for suicide.
I bet you didn’t know that all that good stuff came from drinking coffee huh? One quick word of warning though, regarding coffee and exercise. Caffeine can reduce the blood flow to your heart during exercise so if you have heart problems skip the Java before your workout.
If you’re wondering….I drink my coffee black.
How to you take yours?
What do you think about coffee? Good/Bad?
How much do you drink?
I’d love to hear you input.
I have some coffee at least three days a week. Early morning clients and almost an hour drive to work, so yeah, coffee is my friend. I used to drink a hint of coffee with my creamer and sugar until last year I switched to just black. And I prefer a good Dark coffee. But thanks for the post and letting us know the benefits! Just wondering, what about on a Ketogenic diet, would you still recommend coffee or caffeine?
Micky,
Hi. I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you as I got your voicemail (I’ve been out of town). Send me a DM on twitter with your email so we can connect.
Re: Ketogenic diets. Coffee and Caffeine are fine – you can even add heavy cream – 0 carbs. Just no sugar.
?i love coffee, black and boiled! i have a mug every morning, and sometimes a little more if i’m having a bad day… it makes me feel good.
and it seems to help… uh… get things moving.
What if your name isn’t ‘Rick’?
Love a double espresso before training. I advise my clients not to drink it after 4 as it can affect sleep. Also what’s your limit with cups a day Mike? I find some clients live on coffee and their adrenals are completely fatigued because of this. I’m taking 10plus cups a day!!!
read taking as TALKING
Black before each workout! That’s the way to take it…
I drink a pot of coffee every morning.I have known for a long time that coffee is my friend:)
Mike-
Great post, I LOVE coffee and would be in real trouble without it. John Berardi mentioned coffee on theFitcast episode 100 while talking about genetics and was saying it appears to have dual effects based on the gene that codes for the enzyme that breaks down caffiene. People with the “fast” gene break caffeine down rapidly and have reduced risk for CVD. The people with the “slow” gene are at a greater risk for CVD. I’ve never been very savvy on genetics and would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks! Either way, I wont be giving up my coffee any time soon.
-Charlie
Coffee is a drug, and should be used as such. I appreciate my cup in the morning (grind my own beans, French press–yum!), but have been told repeatedly that it’s really not such a good idea to shock the nervous system first thing. Our circadian cycles are better suited to a subtle jolt three to four hours after we’ve awakened. I NEVER drink caffeine in any form after 4:00 or I’ll never sleep. When trying to get really lean, I’ll drink a cup black with glutamine before early morning cardio on an empty stomach–always get great results!
Moderation…
One would think that the coffee/caffeine ‘haters’ would have learned to chill-out by now, as they are simply wasting their time. Back in the ’70′s a group set out to prove the dangers of caffeine, only to discover that a cup of coffee at the onset of an asthma attack was actually beneficial. And around the same time another group ‘accidently’ discovered that a cup of coffee just before a running/jogging event was beneficial to the runner – this news came just as America’s running craze was hitting it’s stride, thank you very much! And recent reports have suggested that de-caf (not that ol’ boogaboo caffeine) may actually be harmful to one’s heart, no such reports regarding regular coffee. Give it up!
Good post Mike. Coffee does get a bad rap, and I have read a few studies here and there on the actual benefits of coffee, so this is refreshing to read and reinforce the benefits. I have a cup every morning, and then switch to various teas throughout the day-green, white,black and red.
I’ll drink a cup black with glutamine per a response by Peg(1 CP) February 1, 2009 at 6:32 a
what is glutamine?
i am in a body camp challenge at a gym with trainers like biggest loser for 10 weeks and my weight loss varies of 10-15 pounds lost, yes i am a female and understand some hormonal issues, age 41, 5’9″ @ 165 now and my goal is 130. ( i have lost 2 pants sizes) i have about 7 more weeks of class then on my own but will attend gym classes like body pump and spin.
is there a trick to burn the most fat and gain most muscle in this time frame. i have one flaw – i am very hungry at night, though i eat healthy, i shouldn’t eat this late 6-8 pm. my job is active and i workout medium to high intensity aerobic & weight training for 1 hour 6/7 days with the trainers and a group of others like me desiring a healthy body, life (i eat low carb 75% time and at night have 25% diet crave carbs and eat high fiber cereal or oatmeal, or high fiber tortilla and fresh peanutbutter, less milk and unsweetened soy milk for less carbs)
so, what is the opiniion out there ??
Great post, thank you. My body tells me every am at 9:00, that it is due for the daily cup. I don’t even have to look at the clock,is it a habit(routine),or is my body hooked on caffeine? The rest of the day I drink herbal teas and don’t usually feel the need for coffee, though I do like it.