13 Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages.

Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, it also seems to be quite healthy.

Studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.

Here are the top 13 health benefits of coffee.

1. Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter

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Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels (1, 2).

That’s because it contains a stimulant called caffeine — the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world (3).

After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, it travels to your brain (4).

In the brain, caffeine blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine.

When this happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons (5, 6).

Many controlled studies in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function — including memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general mental function (7, 8, 9).

Summary

Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, which causes a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function.

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