Health Benefits Of Coffee You May Not Know About

Written By Meghan Belnap / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

 Are you among the 62 percent of Americans who drink coffee every day? You might wonder what your habit is doing for your health. The good news is that despite coffee's reputation as a quick caffeine fix, your daily cup actually has many benefits and can be a great addition to a balanced diet.

Here are three unexpected ways that coffee can boost both your energy levels and your health.

Helps Burn Fat and Suppress Appetite

Are you on a diet? Try having a cup of coffee with your breakfast or afternoon snack to keep hunger at bay. Coffee's caffeine kick reduces cravings and increases metabolism to help you burn off excess calories. However, caffeine can also cause dehydration, so make sure to drink plenty of water or low-calorie sports drinks if you're hitting the gym.

Supplies Essential Nutrients

You probably don't think of coffee as a nutritional powerhouse, but one cup contains several important vitamins and minerals like riboflavin, niacin, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. While the amounts of these nutrients are relatively small in coffee, it can easily add up for those who enjoy several cups a day.

For the most nutritional benefits, choose Colombian whole bean coffee or other less-processed varieties. You can also give your coffee a boost of calcium by adding a splash of skim milk.

Boosts Mood

If you're feeling down in the dumps, a cup of coffee may be just the thing to lift your spirits. Enjoying your favorite roast can make you happier and increase mindfulness, while the caffeine and antioxidants it contains increase alertness. Having coffee with friends or at your favorite coffee shop also comes with the mental health benefits of socializing.

For even more mood-boosting power, try pairing your coffee with a piece of dark chocolate.

May Lower Stroke Risk

Although many people think that coffee is bad for your cardiovascular health, the opposite is actually true. Some studies have found that coffee drinkers have a moderate reduction in stroke risk, and no current studies support coffee as a risk to overall cardiovascular health. However, it's important to consult with your doctor before taking up a new coffee habit if you have heart disease or hypertension.

Although coffee has many surprising health perks, you don't have to be a regular coffee drinker to benefit. For those who don't enjoy the strong, bitter taste of coffee, black tea has many of the same health advantages and can be a great substitute.

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Written By:
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com