Category: Beverages

For many, coffee is a way of life. You see little placards on office desks and signs that hang in kitchens, with people showing their love and need for coffee. While some might consider coffee to be unhealthy, even likened to energy drinks, there are actually several health benefits you get from your daily cup of joe. Of course, this comes without all of the creamer or sugar, but here are some of the ways that coffee boosts your health.

1. Reduces Chances of Heart Failure

When people think about caffeine, the mind tends to wander on how that can be negative for heart health. However, a study from the American Heart Association said that those who drink one cup of coffee per day are lowering their chances of heart failure by up to 12 percent. Those that drank two daily cups of java saw even lower chances, dropping all the way to 30 percent.

2. Good For the Liver

The liver tends to work overtime for our bodies, especially if we’re consuming one too many adult beverages. One beverage that actually helps your liver, though, is coffee. Multiple studies have seen a link between those that drink coffee on a regular basis and a lower amount of liver cancer diagnoses. On top of that, coffee drinkers have a much lower rate of liver cirrhosis, with four cups per day lowering these rates by up to 65 percent.

3. Coffee Can Help You Lose Weight

With a liver that’s fully operational, your body is more prone to staying at a healthy weight. We touched on how coffee can help your liver, but there are even more weight loss benefits. As a stimulant, coffee does a great job of boosting your metabolism. Those that drank coffee either with their meals or before their meals were likely to eat fewer calories. As an added bonus, coffee drinkers burn off more body fat throughout the day.

4. Reduces Risk of Depression

Coffee acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, which sounds more like it leads to less joint pain, but is also beneficial to your mental health. The properties of coffee also help to block the chemical adenosine that causes feelings of depression. One study showed that coffee drinkers are reducing their risk of depression by about one-third. Dr. Alan Leviton of Harvard University noted that the reduction of chronic illnesses is a big factor in this link.

5. Increases Skin Health

Let’s say that you don’t like the taste of coffee. That’s fine, not everybody does. You can still see massive benefits for your skin health simply with the touch of coffee grounds. When used in an exfoliating scrub, coffee (along with its antioxidant properties) helps to exfoliate skin and reduce the signs of aging. There’s also good news for those that want to drink coffee, as a major study in Japan showed that daily coffee intake reduces signs of aging and hyperpigmentation. So not only does coffee make you feel young when your day is dragging along, but it can also help you look younger, too!

Almost everybody wants to travel the globe and take in the sights and sounds, as well as try some of the best cuisine. When you’re traveling, though, there are some things that tend to stay the same in your daily routine. You wake up the same, put on your clothes the same, and brush your teeth the same. No matter where you are, there’s probably another part of your morning that’s also incredibly valuable, and that’s reaching for a cup of coffee. But what are some of the countries around the world where you can find the best coffee? Here are some that truly stand out above the rest.

1. Colombia

You can’t mention coffee without first mentioning the nation of Colombia. In the western hemisphere, no country is more famous for their coffee. Producing the third most bags of coffee in the world, Colombia produces arabica beans that give coffee a sweeter taste. If you’re looking to avoid the crashes and jitters that come with a lot of coffee, Colombia has your back. With a lower caffeine level, you’re free to enjoy the drink itself.

2. Brazil

If you want to see where about one-third of the world’s coffee originates, then come to Brazil. Interestingly enough, coffee’s stronghold in Brazil dates back only to the 18th century, but that hasn’t stopped the country from becoming a coffee powerhouse. Coffee from Brazil tends to have a lower acidity compared to other regions, and is naturally much sweeter than your average coffee. Just be prepared to pay a little extra, though, as Brazil coffee is among the most expensive globally.

3. Mexico

Assuming that you’re in the United States, you don’t have to go far for some of the world’s best coffee. Ranking among the top 10 in terms of volume of production, Mexico has been increasing their output for decades now, with almost all of their output coming from the southern part of the nation. Not only are the beans themselves great, but Mexico tends to brew their coffee with both sugar and cinnamon to make it sweeter and tastier.

4. Kenya

While there are several countries that grow coffee in Africa, Kenya stands out above the rest. Very popular amongst Europeans (and trending in North America), Kenyan coffee has a stronger flavor than most coffees due to its high acidity. The volcanic soil in Kenya is a perfect breeding ground for coffee beans, and you might not look back after your first cup.

5. Italy

You might be thinking to yourself right now, “Wait, does Italy actually grow its own coffee?” The answer is no, as Italy’s climate and topography don’t allow for it to happen. However, that doesn’t mean that Italians don’t know coffee. It’s all about the preparation, and Italy has been at the forefront in creating innovative new ways to consume coffee. This includes the advent of espresso, as well as cappuccinos, macchiatos and many more. Simply put, if you’re perusing through Italy on a vacation, you won’t have to look far for a tremendous cup of coffee you may have never seen before.

Did you know that coffee is the most popular drink in the world after water? It’s true! Estimates show that more than 2.25 billion coffee cups are consumed daily. And while many people enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to help them start their day, there are plenty of other fascinating facts about this delicious beverage that you might not know. Here are five crazy facts about coffee that will surprise and entertain you.

1: Coffee beans aren’t beans.

This one might come as a surprise, but coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit that grows on coffee trees. The fruit is often called a coffee cherry, and when the cherries are ripe, they are picked, and the seeds are extracted. The seeds are then dried and roasted to create the coffee beans we know and love.

2: You can get coffee from an animal’s poop.

No, we’re not joking. In some parts of the world, coffee beans are collected from the droppings of animals called civets. These furry creatures eat coffee cherries, and their digestive system breaks down the fruit’s flesh, leaving the beans intact. The beans are then collected from the civet’s poop, cleaned, and roasted to create what is known as kopi luwak coffee. It’s one of the world’s most expensive coffees, and some say it has a unique, smooth flavor.

3: There are more than 18,000 different types of coffee plants.

With so many different coffee plants out there, it’s no wonder there are so many different flavors of coffee. The two main types of coffee plants are Arabica and Robusta, but there are many different subtypes and hybrids. And each type of coffee plant produces beans with a unique flavor profile. So whether you like your coffee light and fruity or dark and chocolatey, there’s a bean out there that will suit your taste.

4: Coffee is good for your health.

Coffee has been demonized in the past, but recent studies have shown that it can be good for your health. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions. So drink up!

5: Coffee can help you live longer.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death than those who don’t drink coffee. The study followed more than 450,000 people over 16 years and found that those who drank two to three cups of coffee daily were 18% less likely to die than those who didn’t. So if you want to live a long and healthy life, make sure you get your daily dose of coffee.

So next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, take a moment to appreciate all the fascinating facts about this beloved beverage.