Ode to the Café

I always get perplexed when someone tells me they’re not a “very big coffee drinker.” What, are you also not very big on oxygen or water? Granted, this edgy reply usually comes after I’ve had a little too much of the good stuff and I’m all jitters, but I still think it’s one of the most magical drinks on earth. And it’s not only me. For years, scientists have been examining the health and beauty benefits of coffee, revealing evidence that java can help lower heart disease and give athletes a competitive edge. So it’s not just magic in this wonderful cup of Joe: It’s science, man.

Frappes With Benefits

Multiple studies have been conducted to examine the health benefits of consuming coffee over time. In one, researchers noted that three to five cups of coffee helped decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by 65 percent, while another found that one to two cups of coffee helped decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by as much as 38 percent. Looking at the liver, a 2005 study by the American Gastroenterological Association associated coffee with lower risk of developing chronic liver disease. Lastly, a 2012 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition saw a decrease risk of developing type 2 diabetes in coffee drinkers.

 A 2011 study found that men who drank six or more cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 20 percent. Women who drank more than four cups a day reduced their risk of endometrial cancer by 25 percent.

Percolating Performance

Scientists have also been curious about the effect caffeine has on athletic performance, looking at a variety of endurance exercises in their studies. The findings weren’t surprising to anyone running or competing after a cup of coffee (try it, it’s awesome). In separate studies, caffeine was shown to help female volleyball players hit the ball harder, rowers row farther, and cyclists bike faster. In all, it’s shown to give a performance advantage of about 1.5 to 5 percent.

But Too Much of A Good Thing …

Along with these findings, scientists always caution that caffeine can help … in moderation. Most caution against ingesting more than the recommended amount, saying that too much can cause anxiety, restlessness, or even death. It’s pretty hard to digest deadly amounts of caffeine through coffee, though — most scientists are warning against consuming pure, powdered caffeine.

So stick with the good stuff, the magic in a cup. Your heart (and liver, muscles, and brain) will thank you for it.