Coffee is consumed by millions of people around the world, and I am not an exception, yet few people are aware of its health benefits. It's not hard to guess from the name of my blog that I am a huge coffee lover.

My fondness for coffee takes me back to my childhood long before I was aware of it. Mom tells me that they would catch me eating coffee beans when I was only 6 years old. Another time she saw me eating the coffee residue after she was back home from seeing off our guests.

It's not that I swallow countless amounts of coffee during the day. Coffee drinking is more of a ritual for me. It cannot be done in a hustle. I should enjoy it slowly, without a rush with an aside activity: blogging, reading or surfing the net.

I usually drink coffee twice per day, at sunrise and at sunset. I make a pot of Turkish coffee and usually drink two cups. At work, I used to drink instant coffee with Coffeemate but recently switched it with tea as I am trying to consume coffee in moderation.

There have always been debates on whether coffee has more benefits or side effects. Some consider it healthy and energizing, others insist it's addictive and harmful. I did a little research trying to find out the healthy reasons why we should keep drinking coffee.

Here are 7 reasons to drink coffee

1- Coffee is rich in antioxidants Studies show that coffee is a potent source, actually one of the largest sources of disease-fighting antioxidants in the human diet. Antioxidants found in coffee can effectively disarm free radicals that constantly attack our body, thus helping to fight against aging and many diseases.

2- Coffee can increase physical performance Caffeine can increase adrenaline levels and work as fuel to our body. It can help us feel less tired, make us feel more energized and awake, ready to tackle the day. Taking a cup of coffee before an hour of physical activity can benefit high-intensity exercise and power sports.

3- Coffee can improve the brain function After drinking coffee caffeine is absorbed into our bloodstream. From there it travels to our brain. Besides boosting our energy level, consuming a consistent and moderate amount of coffee can also improve our vigilance, short-term memory, learning and reaction time.

4- Coffee can reduce Alzheimer's and Parkinson's risk Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are the most common neurodegenerative diseases and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It usually affects people over 65 and there is no cure known. However, it can be prevented by eating healthy, exercises. According to some studies, regularly drinking coffee can also lower the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

5- Coffee can reduce the risk of diabetes Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a major and increasing health problem across Europe and around the world. It's characterized by elevated blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or a reduced ability to secrete insulin. Research suggests that consuming 4 cups of coffee per day may help to lower the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

6- Coffee can help reduce the risk of skin cancer According to a study, people who drink more than 3 cups of coffee are less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don't.

7- Coffee can help burn fat Caffeine is known to boost our metabolic rate by 3-11%. That's why most of the fat-burning supplements contain caffeine as it is a natural fat-burning substance.

To sum it up, coffee is one of the most popular beverages that boasts to have many health benefits when consumed in moderation.

What about you? Are you a coffee lover? How many cups of coffee a day do you have? Do you think that coffee is more healthy or harmful?

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7 Reasons to Drink Coffee