The amount of benefits one can gain from simply adding a cup or two of coffee to their daily diet are endless. Coffee is a part of my everyday life, so I most definitely can advocate for all of the amazing advantages we as coffee drinkers have upon the rest of the world. It is essential for us to spread awareness to the countless health benefits such a beverage provides and clear up any myths.

First, there are essential nutrients found in coffee; it is not just black water. It is the largest source of antioxidants in the Western Diet and contains several vitamins and minerals the body needs. A single cup of coffee contains various important nutrients the body needs such as Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese and Potassium, and Magnesium and Niacin. A cup of black coffee can also help you burn fat -caffeine is one of the few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning. Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate 3-11%.

The caffeine found within coffee can improve physical performance immensely as well. The caffeine increases the Adrenaline levels in our bloodstream, which then create the “fight or flight” hormone that makes our body ready for intense physical exertion. Because of this, it only makes sense that you have a strong cup of coffee about a half an hour before you head to the gym.

It is no secret that we all want to live as long as we possibly can; coffee helps make doing so possible. Coffee not only lowers your risk getting of Type 2 diabetes, but may also protect you from Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, Parkinson’s, some types of cancer, and stroke. It also has various protective effects on the liver. Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get these diseases, they are also subject to living longer. Several studies show that coffee drinkers do in fact live longer and have a lower risk of premature death.

There are plenty of other sources to get your daily fix of caffeine such as soda, tea, chocolate, chocolate milk, cocoa powder, etc., but none compare to coffee. The truth is that everyone has their own way of getting the energy needed to survive the day. Some choose caffeine while others prefer to exercise, take a power nap, or go outside, the list is endless. If you are the kind of person who prefers coffee over anything like myself, you understand the mild pick-me-up effect it has on your body. The rush of energy you experience from drinking coffee comes from the mild stimulant effect the caffeine has on your brain. I have found that this drink among others is the most convenient and easiest to obtain. This source of caffeine can increase your adrenaline, which among other things can make your heart beat faster, send more blood to your muscles, and tell your liver to release sugar into the bloodstream to get that daily dose of energy we so often desire. Having recognized the innumerable amounts of benefits this simple add on to your diet can provide, I see no reason not to become a coffee drinker today. After all, it could save your life.