For the Love of Coffee
Coffee is one of those foods that the media seems to go back and forth on - can you boost your health with coffee? Is it a guilty pleasure or natural superfood? Because we all know we should be cautious taking nutrition advice from the media, I thought I would clear up any confusion and shed some light on the science based health benefits of quality coffee. So here are 5 ways coffee can improve your health!
Five ways coffee can boost your health:
Antioxidants
The key ingredient is a group of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids, or CGAs. These components protect you from damaging free radicals. Free radicals are/come from {in your own words}. CGAs (antioxidants) eliminate these oxidizing molecules in the body. That’s why they’re called “antioxidants.”
Coffee is actually the richest source of antioxidants in the western diet (and PURITY is the richest source of antioxidants out of all coffees), more than even ‘superfoods’ like blueberries and kale.
2. Athletic Performance
Athletes who took in caffeine pre-exercise burned 15% more calories for three hours post-exercise than those who didn’t.
A little caffeine post-workout may have benefits too. Compared to consuming carbohydrates alone, a caffeine/carb combo was shown to increase muscle glycogen by 66% after intense exercise, allowing athletes to exercise harder and longer next time.
3. Type 2 Diabetes
This 2014 study showed that participants who increased their coffee consumption by more than 1 cup per day over a 4 year period had an 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes in the subsequent 4 years compared with those who made no changes in their coffee consumption. Participants who decreased their coffee intake by more than 1 cup per day had a 17% higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
4. Liver Disease
This meta-analysis suggests a 40% reduced risk of liver cancer in coffee drinkers. Research also suggests that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of other liver conditions as well.
5. Heart Health
This recent study suggests a lower risk of atrial fibrillation among men who consume 1-3 cups of coffee per day. Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrythmia that can feel like a fluttery heart beat. Individuals with atrial fibrillation are at a higher risk of stroke.
6. Cancer
Coffee is valued for its high antioxidant value and phytochemicals, so it is no surprise that coffee has been linked to lower risk for certain types of cancers. It also may promote longevity. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, "coffee drinkers may live longer than non-coffee drinkers, having lower risk of dying from many cancers – as well as other chronic diseases." You can read more about the research on the AICR website here.
2 More Tips:
Drink it hot or pour yourself a nice glass of cold brew...
Because coffee acids are better extracted at high temperatures, cold brew can be up to 60% less acidic than hot brewed coffee. Many people love the smoother, sweeter flavor of cold brew. Since fewer acids are extracted than from a typical heated brewing process, it doesn’t have the same bitter bite to it that can be off-putting for some.
Choose a clean & healthy coffee
A heaping spoonful of low quality instant coffee, or the coffee you might buy at most gas stations, will likely use the cheapest, lowest quality coffee beans (usually selected based on price alone). These beans may contain a higher ratio of bean defects (such as insect damage, over-fermented, and oxidized) and higher levels of mold. Plus, the coffee will could be stale. Many of the benefits of the coffee compounds will still be present, but so will toxins and chemicals that can create adverse health effects.
It is best to find a coffee that’s tested to be free of contaminants.
Purity Coffee is the only coffee that is produced with health as the top consideration. Every step of the way, from organically grown plants to fresh, nitrogen-flushed bags, they make sure the coffee is pure and clean. Not only is Purity Coffee free of contaminants, but it is roasted to have the highest concentration of antioxidants and the lowest risk of carcinogenic compounds. You can be confident that your health is in good hands when you brew Purity Coffee at any temperature.
Lucky for you, I have samples to raffle off of Purity Coffee Beans!! Here's what you have to do to enter:
1. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram
2. Follow Purity Coffee and The Living Plate on Instagram
Good luck!
Disclosure: I received free samples of Purity Coffee for this post. Rest assured, I would never recommend a product I don't believe in and maintain the highest standards of integrity when recommending commercial products.
