Coffee Beans

1. Boosts energy levels Coffee contains caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant that is known for its ability to fight fatigue and increase energy levels (1Trusted Source). This is because caffeine blocks the receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, and this increases levels of other neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your energy levels, including dopamine (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source). One small study found that consuming caffeine increased time to exhaustion during a cycling exercise by 12% and significantly reduced subjective levels of fatigue in participants (4Trusted Source). Another study had similar findings, reporting that consuming caffeine before and during a round of golf improved performance, increased subjective energy levels, and reduced feelings of fatigue (5Trusted SourceTrusted Source). SUMMARY Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that has been shown to increase energy levels and decrease fatigue by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. 2. May be linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes Some research suggests that consuming coffee regularly could be associated with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the long term. In fact, one review of 30 studies found that each cup of coffee people consumed per day was linked to a 6% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (6Trusted Source). This is thought to be due to coffee’s ability to preserve the function of the beta cells in your pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels (7Trusted Source). Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants and may affect insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolism — all of which are involved in the development of type 2 diabetes (8Trusted Source). SUMMARY Regular coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the long term. 3. Could support brain health Although studies have turned up mixed results, some research suggests that coffee may help protect against certain neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. According to one review of 13 studies, people who regularly consumed caffeine had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. What’s more, caffeine consumption also slowed the progression of Parkinson’s disease over time (9Trusted Source). Another review of 11 observational studies in more than 29,000 people also found that the more coffee people consumed, the lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease (10Trusted Source). Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that moderate coffee consumption could be associated with a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source). SUMMARY Some research suggests that drinking coffee could help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline. 4. May promote weight management According to some research, coffee could alter fat storage and support gut health, both of which may be beneficial for weight management (13Trusted Source). For example, one review of 12 studies concluded that higher coffee consumption could be associated with decreased body fat, especially in men (14Trusted Source). In another study, increased coffee intake was linked to decreased body fat in women (15Trusted Source). Furthermore, one study found that people who drank one to two cups of coffee per day were 17% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels, compared with those who drank less than one cup per day (16Trusted Source). Higher levels of physical activity could help promote weight management (16Trusted Source). SUMMARY Coffee could help support weight management and may be linked to decreased body fat. One study also found that people who consumed coffee were more likely to be physically active. 5. Linked to a lower risk of depression Some studies have found that drinking coffee could be associated with a lower risk of depression. According to one review of seven studies, each cup of coffee people consumed per day was linked to an 8% lower risk of depression (17Trusted Source). Another study found that drinking at least four cups of coffee each day was associated with a significantly lower risk of depression, compared with drinking just one cup per day (18Trusted Source). What’s more, one study in more than 200,000 people showed that drinking coffee was linked to a lower risk of death by suicide (19Trusted Source). SUMMARY Several studies have found that coffee could be linked to a lower risk of depression and may even be linked to a lower risk of death by suicide.