More Reasons Why Coffee Is the Answer to Everything

As if coffee is not already nectar from the heavens, we found the different ways coffee just keeps on giving, so you can pour this one for the haters.

Cortisol, a stress related hormone, is at peak the moment you awake. It’s in charge of waking your body up so when that hormone level dips (around 9.30 – 11.30am), you need that java to jazz you up for the day. Here are more reasons to love coffee:

Hear ye, the sleep deprived! Did you know that just smelling coffee can make you less stressed about sleep deprivation? Now you do. Coffee aroma changes brain proteins related to that very stress. So if you’re stressed about not catching your 41 winks, pour yourself a cup.

Researchers at Harvard (CREDIT: Harvard School of Public Health) found that drinking coffee reduces the risk of depression among women, compared to those drinking decaf or tea, and other less caffeinated beverages. Take that, tea.

If you take 3 – 5 cups of coffee a day, don’t worry about it being an unhealthy addiction. Studies have shown that doing so reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 20% (CREDIT: Medical Daily). Don’t drink more than 3 – 5 cups daily though, as like coffee, moderation is the key to everything.

Because coffee contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, it keeps you alert and makes you sharper. That cup of joe improves pretty much everything in the brain associated with intelligence – reaction time, attention, and logical reasoning. Unfortunately, it’s not a permanent fix, so picking up a book is still highly recommended.

This is probably the greatest benefit of morning coffee, especially if you exercise in the mornings. The caffeine causes fat cells to be used as energy and increases your metabolic rate, thus helping you to burn more calories throughout the day. So it’s a quick and easy jolt not only your mornings, but for the fatty cells in your body.

Besides fat burning, having coffee before workouts help fuel your muscles. Research shows that the caffeine enhances physical endurance and stamina, thus helping you feel energised for longer.