Did you know that the longest lifespans are found in Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece? Fun fact: They all sip coffee as well.
Could it be that some of the longest-living people on the planet attribute longevity to a daily cup of coffee as a mere coincidence? Letโs look at the data!
Coffee has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer-related early death (1), in addition to its ability to improve energy and attention. Consuming up to eight cups of coffee per day, both caffeinated and decaf, was inversely linked to death in research involving almost 500,000 adults (2). Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to a study (3,4).
What then is the secret to coffee’s lifespan benefits? To begin with, coffee’s caffeine content can boost vitality and lessen exhaustion, which may encourage individuals to engage in more physical activity (5). Also, it has been demonstrated to occasionally improve fat burning (6) and speed up metabolism (7).
However, as decaf has also been linked to longer lifespans, the benefits of coffee can’t be attributed to just caffeine. Coffee’s polyphenols provide the whole picture of what makes it healthful.
The Diverse Range of Polyphenols found in Coffee
Amazing substances called polyphenols are naturally found in plants. Coffee plants have thousands of phytochemicals that help shield them from external dangers like fungi, insects, and illnesses (8). It’s interesting to note that some of these defense systems appear to transfer to humans when we consume or drinkย those plants.
![](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Cup-of-Life-How-Coffee-Polyphenols-Boost-Vitality-and-Longevity-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
Coffee’s antioxidant polyphenols aid in defending our cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage (9). There is still much to learn about each type of polyphenol, and they all appear to have distinct qualities of their own.
One of the most researched polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, for instance, has been demonstrated to enhance cardiometabolic health (10) and function as a central nervous system stimulant (11). Rosmarinic acid is being researched for its possible liver-protective properties (12), whereas ferulic acids have been discovered to lower oxidative stress and enhance inflammatory state (13).
Researchers are particularly interested in two other polyphenols: caffeic acid, which reduces inflammation (14), and coumaric acid, which supports mood (15). All these different plant chemicals blend deliciously in a good cup of coffee.
Variations exist in the quantity and variety of polyphenols found in various coffee products. This is because the final cup’s composition can be affected by the roasting process, storage strategy, and even the type of brew used. The coffee beans’ polyphenol content is also greatly influenced by the growing environment and methods used.
It makes sense to select coffee that is cultivated and prepared to preserve these vital plant chemicals if you want to reap the greatest advantages from your brew.
It’s like receiving additional points every time I brew a cup of coffee. So, if I’m going to drink it, I want to make sure I’m getting as much of those polyphenols as possible. Make sure the brand you choose is cultivated and processed in a way that preserves as much of the plant’s beneficial ingredients.
To Wrap Things Up
One of the world’s major sources of polyphenols, these plant-based substances give coffee several remarkable health benefits. To fully benefit from them, seek out beans with high polyphenol test results. Make the most of your cup, cheers!
Sources |
- Coffee and tea consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer: a pooled analysis of prospective studies from the Asia Cohort Consortium – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Association of Coffee Drinking With Mortality by Genetic Variation in Caffeine Metabolism: Findings From the UK Biobank | Diet | JAMA Internal Medicine | JAMA Network
- Coffee and Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Arguments for a Causal Relationship – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Coffee Intake and Obesity: A Meta-Analysis – PMC (nih.gov)
- A Daily Cup of Tea or Coffee May Keep You Moving: Association between Tea and Coffee Consumption and Physical Activity – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Daily Consumption of Coffee and Eating Bread at Breakfast Time Is Associated with Lower Visceral Adipose Tissue and with Lower Prevalence of Both Visceral Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Japanese Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study – PMC (nih.gov)
- The effect of caffeine on energy balance – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Analytical methods applied for the characterization and the determination of bioactive compounds in coffee | European Food Research and Technology (springer.com)
- Antioxidants | Free Full-Text | Antioxidant and Antiradical Activity of Coffee (mdpi.com)
- Beverages | Free Full-Text | Consumption of Chlorogenic Acids through Coffee and Health Implications (mdpi.com)
- Chlorogenic acid (CGA): A pharmacological review and call for further research – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Rosmarinic Acid as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agent – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Ferulic Acid Supplementation Improves Lipid Profiles, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Status in Hyperlipidemic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Caffeic Acid Modulates Processes Associated with Intestinal Inflammation – PMC (nih.gov)
- P-Coumaric Acid Reverses Depression-Like Behavior and Memory Deficit Via Inhibiting AGE-RAGE-Mediated Neuroinflammation – PubMed (nih.gov)
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