Coffee lovers know that one of the best ways to start the day is with a fresh cup of hot coffee. You might prefer an espresso, a cappuccino, or just a regular tall, hot coffee. No matter what your favorite kind is, you know that your day isn’t the same without it! And while you probably have no hesitation about brewing a cup each morning, here’s another reason to keep the coffee pot going – good health! From warding off certain medical conditions to lowering your risk of certain cancers, coffee of all kinds has some surprising health advantages.

Reduced Risk Of Diabetes

In a study conducted by Harvard University, people who consumed up to six cups of coffee daily were more than 20% less likely to develop diabetes than people who didn’t drink coffee. Each cup of regular coffee lowers your risk of diabetes by about 10%, while every cup of decaf coffee lowers your risk by about six percent.

Protection Against Alzheimer’s And Parkinson’s

Another advantage of drinking coffee is that it can shield you from certain health conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that certain compounds in roasted coffee can prevent plaque accumulation in the brain that contributes to Alzheimer’s. In people with a genetic predisposition for Parkinson’s, coffee is powerful enough to even mitigate some of those genetic influences.

Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease

As it turns out, the more the merrier when it comes to using coffee to protect your heart. Evidence shows that consuming anywhere from 3-5 cups of coffee daily can delay the early effects of heart disease. Drinking up to three cups of coffee daily can keep your arteries clear of calcification in the arteries.

Lower Cancer Risk

In addition to protecting your heart and brain, coffee can also reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Consuming moderate amounts of coffee (between one and three cups) on a daily basis can protect you specifically against liver cancer and colorectal cancer. The risk of developing both types of cancers is reduced by about 25-30%.

Antioxidants And Nutrients

In addition to improving your health, coffee is inherently healthy by its own properties. Coffee actually contains antioxidants and other nutrients that promote good health and longevity. Coffee also contains fiber, which is essential to maintaining good digestive tract health. Both regular and decaffeinated coffee have equal health benefits, so you need not switch your favorite brew to enjoy more health benefits. However, it’s important to note that common additives you might put in your coffee, including flavored creamers, sugar, and cream can mitigate some of those benefits.

Fat Burning

And if you’re looking to lose weight, another reason to drink coffee is that it can help you shed those excess pounds, too. Coffee can expedite the fat-burning process, which is good news for people looking to lose weight or keep their weight under control. Combined with a good diet and exercise, coffee has a place in a holistic weight management plan!

With all the benefits it offers, you have every reason to keep the coffee pot going! If you’ve been looking for an incentive to get a new coffee pot, here are some good options to choose from. No matter which type of coffee you prefer, drinking anywhere from one to five cups daily can make you healthy and leaner.