Can’t put down your cold brew or find it impossible to resist a refill each time you pass the coffee pot? We feel you — coffee does wonders when it comes to starting each day, and it’s the perfect afternoon pick me-up. While drinking heaps of caffeine each day hasn’t been heralded as a healthy habit, we recently read an encouraging study that suggests the right amount can benefit your bod. Even more, it might actually help you live longer. Say what?
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, included 185,855 participants between 45 and 75 years old when it began in 2003. The group counted African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and Caucasians. People were asked to self-report their coffee consumption over the 19-year period so researchers could determine its effect. In a surprising turn, people who drank more coffee had a lower risk of death. Just as interesting, results were the same whether coffee drinkers filled their cup with a regular brew or decaf pick. Who knew?
A recent European study backs up these findings, showing that heavier coffee drinkers show an average seven to 12 percent lower risk of dying prematurely when stacked up against those who nix a regular cup of joe. Some of coffee’s components, such as antioxidants, are thought to guard against health problems like heart disease and inflammation. Even more, The New York Timespublished a piece proving that caffeinated java can make it easier for your bod to burn fat, improve your athletic performance, and help you stay focused at work. A PSL for productivity? Count us in.
It’s only fitting that this great news comes just before International Coffee Day, which we’ll be extra thrilled to celebrate on September 29. Consider this your green light to indulge in your healthy java habit, which experts say can include up to four cups per day.
How much coffee do you drink? Spill the beans and share your go-to coffee order with us on Twitter @BritandCo!
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