They say that there is good news for coffee drinkers, in that the science says, ” The case for coffee is stronger than ever.”
Many studies have tended to show that you may be getting more from your morning coffee than just the perk-me-up feeling we all expect from the caffeine in our coffee. Coffee has other substances that may help guard against health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. Drinking coffee has also been linked to reducing stroke risk, according to findings in a November 2021 study in PLOS Medicine. https://pubmed.
Getting a lift from the caffeine is what comes to mind when you think starting your day with a cup of coffee. But coffee also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease, say nutrition experts from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. That’s why according to the cardiologists they reference in another article called 6 Cardiologist-Approved Heart-Healthy Morning Drinks To Start the Day Strong they consider it a heart-healthy morning drink.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING COFFEE ?
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You could live longer.
Reputable studies have found that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death: coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and
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Your body may metabolize or sugar better.
People who drink more coffee seem less likely to get type 2 diabetes.
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You’re less likely to develop heart failure.
One to two cups of coffee a day may help lower the risk of heart failure , which occurs when a weakened heart cannot pump enough blood to maintain a healthy circulation.
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You are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Research also tells us that caffeine ingestion is both linked to a lower chance of developing Parkinson’s disease, and to be of benefit to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
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Coffee promotes healthy liver
The blood tested for liver enzymes that we all have when we have our yearly physical checkup, may reveal that both regular caffeinated and decaf coffee keep liver enzymes in the normal range.
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DNA in your body may be kept normal.
Dark roast coffee decreases Breakage of DNA strands-out genetic material may be diminished by dark roasted coffees.
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It May Lessen the Chance That You Will Get Colon Cancer
Research indicates that coffee drinkers — both regular and decaf,— were less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
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Your risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease may be less
The caffeine in two cups of coffee per day and possibly other constituents of coffee as well, diminish the chances of getting a diagnosis of dementia after the age of 65 according to research studies.
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Lower Strokes in Women
For women, drinking at least one cup of coffee lowers stroke risk, which is the fourth leading cause of death in women.
Among the many studies that have been done which support their conclusion is one that was published in the January 2022 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, which found that up to three cups of coffee per day lowers a person’s risk of both heart disease and stroke.This is based on a very large multi-year study which had more than 365,000 adult participants and spanned 2006 to 2020. The study subjects were asked to track their coffee and tea consumption. The research revealed that for those who said they drank two to three cups of coffee or tea every day had a 32 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who drank neither . Nikki Bart, MD, a heart failure and heart transplant cardiologist says, “If you, like me, love a cup of coffee, you will be glad to know that the evidence now supports you”. Dr Bart does however, emphasize that you should not overdo the coffee drinking.She says , “The benefits you experience have a dose-dependent effect, with one to three cups seeming to be the optimum amount in recent studies. Any more and you could be doing yourself harm.”
Cardiologists associated with the study recommend adding cocoa to coffee to enhance its benefits.
Cocoa powder may reduce inflammation
“Like coffee beans, cocoa powder contains flavanols, which have anti-inflammatory effects, relax your blood vessels, and improve blood sugar control,” Dr. Bart says.
flavanols are chemical compounds found in plants that are part of the antioxidant family called flanavoids. “Flavanols are shown to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, which can positively impact heart health by relaxing blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure,” she says. It is important to know that cocoa and chocolate aren’t the same thing. Cocoa powder is lower in saturated fat and added sugar (so long as it’s unsweetened).
Tips for making heart-healthy coffee with cocoa
1. It only takes a little
To get the benefit of adding cocoa to coffee, you need to ad just a small amount which is important because unsweetened cocoa powder tastes somewhat bitter .
Dieticain Collette Micko recommends adding up to two tablespoons of cocoa powder or raw cacao powder to your daily coffee to receive the maximum heart-health benefit. “If you enjoy the added flavor in your coffee, there are no detriments to adding it into your daily routine,” she says.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
2. Be careful about adding cream and sugar.
Cardiologists RD Micko further explains, “for example, a grande/venti coffee with cream, sweeteners, and syrups can often have as many calories as a main meal. sugar, artificial syrups, and sweeteners are often pro-inflammatory, canceling out the benefits of the coffee itself. For maximal benefits, skip these optional extras.I would avoid adding full-fat dairy, coconut oil, or butter to coffee, all of which have high amounts of saturated fat and can raise heart disease risk.”
One suggested alternative is to add spices to your coffee -cinnamon or nutmeg.
Use organic coffee
“Conventional coffee beans and cacao beans are typically sprayed heavily with pesticides in farming practices,” C. Micko says.
The more wholesome the ingredients, the better. “Look for cocoa powder that has 4 percent naturally conserved cocoa flavonoids. “Also, make sure the first ingredient is cocoa and not sugar. And make sure it is unsweetened.”
Make other heart-healthy choices to go with your cocoa-powered coffee
Once you’ve prepared your cup, go on a walk to get some steps in for the day. Or, walk to your local coffee shop and get in some light exercise while grabbing your morning cup of joe.
“I like to walk to my nearest coffee shop as a bit of a ritual,” Dr. Bart says. “My favorite place means I have walked 4,000 steps and had all the benefits of caffeine before even starting my day.”
And as a heart-healthy bonus, you can do this with a friend to add connection and community to your day, Dr. Bart says. Staying socially connected can positively affect heart health, according to the Heart Foundation.