In recent years, numerous meta-analyses have come up with positive health outcomes associated with habitual coffee consumption in the general population, and this has changed the perception of coffee from that of a luxury stimulant drink to that of a health promoting beverage, if consumed within usual levels of intake.
Positive health outcomes include lower incidences of type 2 diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, Parkinson’s disease, gout, liver fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and of chronic liver disease. This is the conclusion of an umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes, even after extensive correction for a large number of possible confounding factors, and also the result of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study) trial analyzing coffee consumption versus mortality. Consumption of decaffeinated coffee was associated with similar beneficial outcomes, but only if data of large cohorts were available.
It may benefit brain health and cognition
Let’s start with the main reason many people reach for a cup of joe in the morning: It wakes you up. The science is pretty clear on this, but in one particular study, researchers found that black coffee could reaction time 30 minutes after drinking it. It was also shown to improve
“Black coffee offers numerous health benefits as it contains more than 1,000 bioactive chemicals that can promote longevity,” says integrative medicine specialist and women’s health expert Betsy Greenleaf, DO.
Coffee is one of the most significant sources of polyphenols and phenolic acids in the developed world. Polyphenols act as antioxidants to protect your body from oxidative stress. This can help reduce your risk of a number of long-term health problems, like heart disease, inflammatory diseases, and cancer.
Here are some of the most significant health benefits of black coffee that have been studied by science—from brain function and cognition to gut health and weight loss:
2021, researchers called out that not only can coffee mitigate cognitive decline, but it may also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. (Interestingly, this effect seems to be more pronounced in men.)
These effects are due to the fact that coffee acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist. To put it plainly: Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that makes us feel sleepy. Adenosine also plays a role in your immune, circulatory, respiratory, and urinary systems, as well as your brain health.
The caffeine in coffee blocks the adenosine receptors in your body, which is why it can increase alertness and improve cognition, learning, and memory. Over time, blocking these receptors may help prevent brain diseases and other issues, like Alzheimer’s disease and migraines, while also improving your mood.
Caffeine also enhances dopamine signalling in the brain, further improving mood.
It may benefit metabolism and weight loss
There’s also some research that shows coffee may speed up metabolism and help promote weight loss—or at least play a role in weight management.
“Studies suggest that coffee affects fat storage in cells, boosts metabolism, and promotes gut microbiome, all of which can aid in maintaining a healthy and lean body,” says Greenleaf.