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The health benefits of coffee may be regularly disputed – praised one week, disputed the next – but there’s growing evidence to suggest coffee health benefits could go beyond just a morning boost. From its antioxidant content to its links with energy, mood and focus, coffee is being looked at more closely than ever for its potential role in long-term well-being.
So, is barista coffee good for you? It depends who you ask and what you’re hoping it’ll do. While coffee is never going to be in the same category as leafy greens or smoothies, there’s research that points to some genuine benefits. Here’s a look at the evidence – including a few lesser-known links between coffee and overall wellbeing.
Health benefits of coffee: what’s in your cup?
Coffee is best known for its caffeine kick, helping you feel more alert, and in some cases improving mood, memory and focus. That won’t stop you getting ill, but it can support productivity, especially when you’re tired.
It also contains small amounts of B vitamins, potassium and magnesium – nutrients that support the body in subtle but useful ways. And because roasted coffee is a good source of antioxidants, it’s often linked to reduced inflammation and lower disease risk over time.
While it’s not a superfood, many of the compounds found in coffee may contribute to how you feel day-to-day – one of the quieter reasons why barista coffee health benefits are still worth paying attention to.
Coffee consumption and cancer
Coffee’s relationship with cancer risk has been debated for years, but in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed it from their list of potentially carcinogenic foods. The change followed growing evidence that regular coffee consumption wasn’t linked to a higher cancer risk, as people previously believed.
In fact, WHO even noted some potential benefits, particularly protective effects against liver and uterine cancer.
The World Cancer Research Fund International echoed this too, linking moderate coffee consumption with a lower risk of several cancers, including head and neck, colorectal and breast cancer. That said, the benefits are still not completely understood.
Roasted coffee contains hundreds of biologically active compounds, and it’s still unclear which ones (if any) might be responsible. It’s also worth remembering that studies like these are influenced by broader lifestyle factors – like diet, smoking and exercise – which makes the picture harder to untangle.
Coffee and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes
Several studies have explored the link between coffee and type 2 diabetes, and the results are surprisingly consistent. One study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who drank more than one cup a day over a four-year period had an 11% lower risk of developing the condition.
Interestingly, the benefit wasn’t limited to caffeine. The reduced risk was seen with both regular and decaf coffee, suggesting there’s more going on than just the stimulant effect.
Can coffee lengthen your life?
It’s a bold claim, but some studies suggest that drinking coffee regularly might be linked to a longer life. One large study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that people who drank around three cups a day had a lower risk of death from conditions like heart disease.
That said, the picture’s not entirely clear. The study followed over 500,000 people, but it didn’t fully account for factors like income, lifestyle or diet, all of which can play a big role in long-term health. So while the headlines were attention-grabbing, the real story is more nuanced.
Are there any health risks to drinking coffee?
There’s no strong evidence to suggest coffee is harmful in the way smoking or a high-sugar diet can be. But too much caffeine can still cause problems like restlessness, anxiety, disrupted sleep, dehydration, or mood swings over time.
Most of us have had that moment where one cup too many tipped from helpful to jittery. The key is knowing your limit, listening to it and adjusting your habits accordingly. That way, your coffee routine stays what it should be: a genuinely good part of your day.
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Sources
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-latest-scoop-on-the-health-benefits-of-coffee-2017092512429
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311180#other_effects_of_coffee
https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/can-coffee-lower-cancer-risk.html
https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/coffee-and-cancer-what-the-research-really-shows.html
https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/caffeine