Is Black Coffee Good for You? 7 Enlightening (Scientific) Health Benefits

7 Enlightening Health Benefits Of Black Coffee

Nothing tops that jolt of energy from a hot cup of coffee in the morning. If you’re anything like us, it’s probably one of the best parts of your day.

But other than that delicious wake-up call, how much do you know about coffee?

Did you know how you drink it and how much, affects your body and mind? 

How about the benefits you stand to get from drinking black coffee?

No?

Well, brace yourself for a deep dive into the most enlightening health benefits of coffee.

But first, a closer look at black coffee.

Black Coffee: A Re-Introduction

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We all know and love that piping hot cup of elixir we drink every morning. And multiple times during the day. 

But do you truly know what black coffee is?

In simple terms, black coffee is brewed coffee without the typical slew of additives. That means no sugar, cream, or any of the countless flavors and toppings we’ve grown so accustomed to.

In this state, black coffee is low in calories, fats, and carbohydrates. 

A standard 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains:

  • 0% Carbohydrates
  • 0% Cholesterol
  • 0% Fat
  • 0% Sugar
  • 0% Sodium 

But do not mistake this to mean that coffee has no nutritional value. It’s one of the highest natural sources of caffeine and antioxidants. 

According to one study, it provides more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables1 combined. Additionally, coffee is rich in caffeine, and essential nutrients, namely:

  • 11% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for Vitamin B2; Riboflavin
  • 6% of the RDI for Vitamin B5; Pantothenic acid
  • 3% of the RDI for Manganese and Potassium
  • 2% of the RDI for Vitamin B3; Magnesium and niacin

These might not seem like a lot at first glance. But considering most people enjoy more than one cup of coffee every day, the numbers add up.

These nutrients (Vitamins B2, B3, and B5), coupled with the low calories, make black coffee one of the healthiest beverages on a western diet. 

Here are some more health benefits you can look out for if you drink coffee regularly: 

#1: Black Coffee Can Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Several studies have shown that people who drink black coffee have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes2

Depending on how much coffee you drink, you can reduce your risk by between 23% and  50%. The more coffee you drink, the lower your risk factor. 

Furthermore, according to a review of 18 studies on 457,922 people, each daily cup of coffee was linked to a 7% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Related: The Quick Guide to Brewing an Amazing Cup of Coffee

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#2: Black Coffee Can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

If you drink coffee regularly, then you have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease — the leading cause of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease on the planet. It typically affects people over the age of 65 and has no cure.  

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease. These include eating healthy, exercising, and of course, drinking coffee. 

Studies have shown that coffee consumption yields up to a 65% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease3 and dementia.

#3: Black Coffee Can Reduce the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition. It’s caused by the death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain. 

Just like with Alzheimer’s, there’s no known cure for Parkinson's disease yet. This makes prevention all the more important. 

Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of Parkinson’s disease4 — reduced by 32-60%.

However, in this instance, it's not so much the coffee as it is the caffeine that's key. People who drink decaffeinated coffee don’t benefit from the reduced risk of Parkinson’s.

#4: Black Coffee is Good for Your Liver

The liver is a vital organ that carries out hundreds of critical body functions. 

Unfortunately, it’s susceptible to diseases like hepatitis, and fatty liver disease. 

These conditions can lead to cirrhosis — a condition that covers your liver in scar tissue, impairing its ability to function and self regenerate. 

This can also be induced by excessive consumption of alcohol, leading to alcoholic cirrhosis.

Thankfully, there are several ways you can protect your liver from these conditions. The most common is through a healthy lifestyle and moderate alcohol consumption.

Additionally, you should also drink black coffee5.

Research has shown that people who drink at least 4 cups of coffee per day are less likely to get alcoholic or nonalcoholic cirrhosis6

They also have a lower risk of contracting liver cancer, and hepatitis. 

#5: Black Coffee Helps Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Although coffee consumption can cause a slight increase in blood pressure, the rise is usually mild and dissipates over time. 

However, if you have elevated blood pressure, the effect can persist. In which case, seek professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

That said, there’s no evidence that coffee intake can increase your risk of heart disease. In fact, studies7 have shown the contrary. 

There is evidence that drinking one to two cups of coffee per day can reduce your risk of heart disease. 

Some studies have also shown that coffee drinkers have a 20% lower risk of stroke8

#6: Black Coffee Can Lower the Risk of Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. It’s characterized by uncontrolled cell mutation and growth, leading to a wide range of health problems. 

Research shows that consumption of black coffee helps prevent certain types of cancer, including:

  • Liver cancer9
  • Breast cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Colon cancer

Coffee is excellent at reducing inflammation in your body, which in turn prevents tumor development.

Research shows that coffee drinkers have as much as 40% lower risk of liver cancer10.

Additionally, a study of 489,706 people who drank 4 to 5 cups of coffee a day showed a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer. 

#7: Black Coffee and Weight Loss

Most coffee drinkers don't realize that black coffee is an excellent catalyst for fat burning.

It contains chlorogenic acid — a compound that slows down the production of glucose in your body. It also helps break down fat cells and fatty acids.  

Caffeine further helps in weight loss. It stimulates metabolic activity increasing brain function, energy levels, and suppresses hunger. 

Additionally, as mentioned earlier, black coffee is a low-calorie drink. You cannot put on weight by drinking black coffee. 

Of course, this only applies to plain black coffee. Any additives may introduce fats, calories, and cholesterol. 

Related: Looking to Perfect Your Brew? Basics for Crafting Great Coffee 

Expand Your Coffee Horizons

In many ways, coffee is the fuel on which we run. But that’s not all it is. As we’ve seen above, it’s so much more. 

But to get the best from your coffee, your standard supermarket brand won’t cut it. 

What you need is the highest quality, ethically sourced coffee you can get your hands on —  similar to what we offer at Nomad Coffee Club. 

Nomad Coffee Club is a coffee subscription service for discerning coffee lovers.  

We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best quality, 100% organic coffee sourced from across the globe. 

To ensure the best quality, we roast your coffee to order. That way, you get the best flavors and maximum benefits from your coffee. 

"Nomad provides incomparable service, packaging, and delivery."
Chase N

Additionally, we donate a portion of each sale to building the Nomad School in Kenya. This way, you help make a difference in the communities that produce your coffee.  

So if you’re in the market for some excellent coffee with an amazing cause, look no further. Savor our delicious world-class coffee and all its benefits.

 

Sources:

1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14506489/

2https://www.healthline.com/health/coffee-s-effect-diabetes#diabetes

3https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20182026/

4https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mds.21706

5https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16772246/

6https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11557177/

7https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167527308008498

8https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23493733/

9http://who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer

10https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.20989

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1 comment

  • Hello nomadcoffeeclub.com owner, You always provide helpful diagrams and illustrations.

    Boyd Tober

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