Refill your coffee mugs folks! You may have more than enough of our own reasons to drink coffee, but just in case, here are 11 scientific reasons why would should drink more:
1. Live Longer – Coffee is the best source of antioxidants in the US diet. Antioxidants fight off free radicals that damage cells and help repair damaged ones. (Source: Harvard School of Public Health)
2. Boost Your Memory – Researchers have discovered that coffee improves short-term memory and average reaction time. (Source: Medical University at Innsbruck)
3. Avoid Diabetes – Studies show that overall, coffee reduces the risk of Type II diabetes. But, drinking three to four cups of coffee a day is 25% more effective at reducing diabetes. (Source: George Institute for International Health)
4. Healthier DNA – Coffee drinkers experience a lower level of spontaneous DNA strand breaks, which is a “well established marker of health risk” compared to those who drink only water. (Source: University of Kaiserslautern)
5. Post Workout Pain Reduction – “Caffeine equal to about two cups of brewed coffee produce a large reduction in pain resulting from eccentric exercise–induced, delayed-onset muscle injury.” (Source: University of Georgia)
6. Better Focus – “Take caffeine [and] pretty much anything you measure will improve: reaction time, vigilance, attention, logical reasoning — most of the complex functions you associate with intelligence.” (Source: Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine)
7. Avoid MS – “Compared with those who reported no coffee consumption, the risk of multiple sclerosis was substantially reduced among those who reported a high consumption of coffee (roughly 4 cups).” (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)
8. Avoid Skin Cancer – Drinking coffee significantly reduces the chances of developing basal cell carcinomas. The benefit is directly related to the amount of coffee consumed, especially in women. (Source: American Association of Cancer Research)
9. Avoid Cavities – Coffee kills the bacteria that creates cavities. The more coffee you drink, the cleaner your teeth get. Of course, without the cream and sugar! (Source: Institute of Dental Sciences)
10. Increase Endurance – “Caffeine is effective for enhancing sport performance in trained athletes…, can enhance vigilance during bouts of extended exhaustive exercise…, and has been shown to be highly effective for time-trial performance.” (Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
11. Be happier! – Coffee drinkers benefit from the positive mood-enhancing effects of caffeine. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that, both men and women are 50% less likely to commit suicide than non-coffee drinkers. (Source: Harvard School of Public Health)
