Did you know that aside from boosting your energy, drinking coffee can also prolong your life? According to a study published in the journal Circulation, moderate amounts (or less than five cups) of coffee each day can reduce your risk of death from many diseases such as nervous system disorders, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers explained that this effect could be due to the coffee’s naturally occurring chemical compounds, which reduce insulin resistance and systematic inflammation.

For the study, the researchers analyzed the coffee every four years of participants from three large studies: 74,890 women in the Nurses’ Health Study; 93,054 women in the Nurses’ Health Study 2; and 40,557 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The team used a validated food questionnaire. During the follow-up period of up to 30 years, 19,524 women and 12,432 men died from different causes.

Based on the data gathered, researchers found that those who often consumed coffee tend to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. To differentiate the effects of coffee from smoking, they carried out their analysis again among non-smokers. By doing this, the protective benefits of coffee on deaths became even more apparent.

Finally, the researchers concluded that regular intake of coffee could be included as part of a healthy and balanced diet. However, children and pregnant women should consider the potential high intake of caffeine from coffee or other drinks.

The Many Benefits Of Coffee

Here are some of the health benefits you can obtain from drinking a cup of coffee.

Helps Prevent Heart Disease

A study conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and HSPC researchers showed that moderate coffee intake, or two European cups, each day prevents heart failure. Drinking four European cups a day can lower heart failure risk by 11%.

Helps Prevent Diabetes

A study conducted by University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers found that drinking coffee helps prevent Type 2 diabetes by increasing levels of the protein sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which regulates hormones that influence the development of Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) also found that increased coffee intake may lower Type 2 diabetes risk.

Helps Keep The Liver Healthy

Many studies have proven the protective effects of coffee on the liver. It has been shown that regular coffee intake can protect against liver diseases, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and cirrhosis of the liver, especially alcoholic cirrhosis. Furthermore, drinking decaffeinated coffee also decreases liver enzyme levels.

There were also studies claiming that coffee may help ward off cancer. According to a study conducted by Italian researchers, coffee intake lowers the risk of liver cancer by up to 40%. Some research even suggests that a person should drink three cups of coffee a day to reduce his risk of liver cancer by more than 50%.

Helps Protect Against Parkinson’s Disease

According to studies, consuming more coffee and caffeine can possibly lower someone’s risk of Parkinson’s disease and control movement in people with this type of disease.