Cheers! I’ll Drink To That
During a recent coffee break it occurred to me what the benefits of the 3pm pick me up really are… or if they’re even considered beneficial at all. Growing up I was always told that drinking coffee would stunt my growth, and for some reason my desire to be tall at a young age kept me away from the beverage until high school. During high school and college it was more of a necessity rather than a refreshing drink of choice. I also worked as a barista in college which led to many shaky afternoons after a long morning shift.
Everything in moderation is the word these days, however while reading an article on CNN.com it appears that 6 cups of coffee a day for women can be quite healthy. More than half of the adults in the U.S are habitual coffee drinkers, according to Health.com and over 146 billion cups are consumed in the country each year. While coffee if often linked with insomnia and dehydration it also has many perks.
1. Men who are regular coffee consumers have a lower risk of advanced or lethal prostate cancer.
2. Middle-aged people who drink between 3-5 cups of coffee a day had the lowest risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease late in life, compared to less frequent drinkers.
3. Coffee contains antioxidants, and even though it contains less than fruits and vegetables, in a 2005 study at the University of Scranton coffee was found to be the #1 source of antioxidants in the U.S.
4. The aroma of roasted coffee beans triggers a relaxation response, helping to ease your stress level.
Loads of studies have been conducted regarding the effects and benefits that coffee has on the body. Something to keep in mind however is that “there’s no perfect study out there because they can’t control all the variables. The problem with a human study is everybody’s different.” (Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D.)
While the Doctor may not necessarily order you to consume 6 cups of coffee a day, studies show that it can’t hurt and may even benefit your lifestyle…drink up!