Go Ahead...Have Another Cup of Java

By: Vaughn Greene Funeral Services
Sunday, February 18, 2018

Coffee is a big part of our lives. We rely on it to get out of bed in the morning and to feel alert. It's part of rituals, socializing, and routines.

If you doubt our love for the tasty brown beverage in the U.S, just look at these statistics:

  • 160 million Americans regularly drink coffee
  • 51% of adults in the U.S. drink coffee
  • Americans drink an average of 3.1 cups of coffee daily The U.S. spends $40 billion on coffee per year

Coffee isn't just warm and energizing, it may also be extremely good for us. In recent years, scientists have studied the effects of coffee on various aspects of health and the results are pretty amazing:


Coffee may dramatically lower the risk of Type II Diabetes.  A lifestyle-related disease that has reached epidemic proportions, the incidence of Type II Diabetes has increased 10-fold in the last few decades and now afflicts about 300 million people. In numerous studies, coffee has been repeatedly associated with a lower risk of Type II Diabetes. The reduction in risk ranges from 23% all the way up to 67%. People who drink several cups per day are the least likely to become diabetic.
Coffee has properties that protect the brain.  Not only can coffee make us smarter in the short term, it may also safeguard our brains in old age. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world and a leading cause of dementia.  In a number of studies, coffee drinkers have up to a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer's and dementia.  Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain. Coffee may lower the risk of Parkinson's by 32-60%.


Coffee appears to be extremely good for certain liver disorders. The liver is a remarkable organ that carries out hundreds of vital functions in the body. It is very vulnerable to modern insults such as excess consumption of alcohol and fructose. Cirrhosis is the end stage of liver damage caused by diseases like alcoholism and hepatitis, where liver tissue has been largely replaced by scar tissue. Multiple studies have shown that coffee can lower the risk of cirrhosis by as much as 80%, the strongest effect for those who drank four or more cups per day.  Coffee may also lower the risk of liver cancer by as much as 40%.


Coffee may extend our lives. In two very large studies, drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of death by all causes. This effect is particularly profound in type II diabetics, with one study showing that coffee drinkers had a 30% lower risk of death during a 20 year period.


Coffee is chock full of nutrients and antioxidants. Many of the rich nutrients in the coffee beans do make it into the final drink, which actually contains plenty of vitamins and minerals.  Coffee also contains a massive amount of antioxidants. In fact, coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the western diet, outranking both fruits and vegetables combined.
At the end of the day, it’s clear that coffee isn’t the villain it’s been made out to be. If anything, it just may be the healthiest beverage on the planet

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Seasonal Tips for Renewal: 8 Ways to Refresh Your Mind and Body This Spring

Whether you want to shake things up or find calm in everyday moments, these seasonal tips for renewal can help you thrive this spring. Spring is a season of new beginnings. As the world around us ...

10 Essential Steps: Your Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist

A funeral pre-planning checklist can help you make thoughtful choices now that will bring peace of mind later. Planning your own funeral may not be something you look forward to, but it’s a powerf...

What Does Repast Mean at a Funeral? A Complete Guide to Post-Funeral Gatherings

Knowing what repast means at a funeral is key to appreciating how food, fellowship, and remembrance come together in times of loss. If you’ve ever heard the term “repast” mentioned in connection w...

National Minority Health Month: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Health Disparities

April is National Minority Health Month, the perfect time to shed light on the health disparities affecting many communities in the U.S. While we may be aware of the concept of health equity, unde...

What to Consider When Deciding Where to Sit at a Funeral

Where to sit at a funeral isn’t always obvious, but knowing the basic rules can help you feel more at ease. Walking into a funeral or memorial service can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re...

Funeral Planning for Blended Families: Navigating Complex Relationships

Funeral planning for blended families can be complex, but with open communication and care, it can also present a beautiful opportunity to honor a departed loved one. Blended families are increasi...

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Why Early Detection Saves Lives

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on a disease that affects thousands of Americans each year. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers, affecting thousands ...

Sudden Bereavement: 7 Coping Strategies for Dealing with Unexpected Loss

The jarring reality of dealing with unexpected loss can make it difficult to cope, but you're not alone in your grief. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but when a death is sudden and unexpe...

Wondering About the Importance of Obituaries? Eight Important Things to Know

The importance of obituaries lies in their ability to publicly share a loved one’s journey and the qualities that define them. Obituaries play a vital role in commemorating and remembering departe...

How Much Do You Know About Medical Alert Systems for Seniors?

A medical alert system is one of the best investments you can make for the safety and security of an aging loved one. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, with one in four senio...