Customers these days would prefer a food brand that shouts “HEALTHY”. The impulse to buy these products is almost instant even if the price tag is quite high. In fact, a study made by Nielsen in 2015 reported that 88% of all survey participants are willing to pay more for food that promotes good health and wellness. And talking about health benefits, coffee which is your business’ main product (well, if you are set to start a coffee shop or a coffee cart business), is one that can yield many positive results. If marketed properly, customers will surely follow. You then need to promote awareness towards the many reasons why drinking coffee can be good for one’s body. What are these health benefits? Let us review some of the most important ones in this blog.
- Coffee is a major source of antioxidants.
Our bodies create free radicals called “oxidants” to help fight off illnesses. But if you have too much of these, oxidants can cause damages to our cells and can even contribute to very serious conditions like a compromised immune system, a decline in brain function, heart disease, and worse, cancer. At the same time, we also get oxidants from air pollution, alcohol, and cigarette smoke. Oxidants can be a threat but if you are a coffee drinker, you may get some amount of protection as coffee is said to be a major source of what we call “antioxidants”.
Antioxidants prevent and stop cell damage caused by oxidants. Coffee is packed with several of these helpful compounds and some of the most active ones are Polyphenols and Hydrocinnamic Acids. They neutralise free radicals and help control the effect of oxidative stress. Another antioxidant present in coffee is Cafestol which is an anti-inflammatory substance for the brain and is said to help improve memory. Coffee also contains Trigonelline, Melanoidins, and Chlorogenic Acid which are also anti-inflammatory and antibacterial antioxidants. Another important compound in coffee are Flavonoids which are said to be antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and anti-tumour activities.
- Coffee may help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Several studies have already been conducted through the years to prove this and yes, the results are consistent – that indeed, coffee lowers the risk for an individual to develop diabetes. It is said that drinking four or more cups of coffee each day lowers the risk of developing diabetes by 50%. This benefit is attributed to Chlorogenic Acid which reduces blood sugar concentrations and their absorption in the intestines.
However, for those who already have Type 2 Diabetes, drinking coffee needs to be regulated most especially if it’s mixed with other ingredients like milk, chocolate powder, sugar, and other add-ons.
- Coffee is a great weapon against Parkinson’s Disease.
There are about 80,000 patients in Australia who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. It is the second most common neurological disease in the country. Thirty-two Aussies are diagnosed with it every day and the number of patients is said to have increased by 17% in the last six years. Parkinson’s Disease is a serious illness and for those who are suffering from it, coffee can provide some help as it is believed to aid in controlling movements. Coffee may even work better as a precautionary measure to prevent the development of Parkinson’s Disease for many studies are already suggesting that caffeine lowers the risk of this illness by 32-60%.
- Coffee can be your liver’s best friend.
Data gathered from different studies consistently show that coffee consumption reduces the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Again, antioxidants play an important role in causing this effect as compounds like chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and polyphenols are known anticarcinogens. Generally, increased coffee consumption leads to lesser chances of acquiring alcoholic cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Coffee is a good defence against skin cancer.
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is very common amongst women. Ultraviolet (UB) radiation from the sun is the leading cause of this disease that is why doctors always advise the use of sunscreen and to wear protective clothing when expecting prolonged sun exposure, especially during afternoons.
In a study conducted by the National Institute of Health in the US, researchers found that increased coffee intake results to a lower risk of developing melanoma. Four cups of coffee each day is said to decrease the possibility of getting this type of cancer by 20%.
6. Coffee as a protective factor against Alzheimer’s Disease and even Dementia.
Experts are now showing more interest in further studying the good effects of drinking coffee to thwart Alzheimer’s Disease which could lead to dementia. Coffee is found to have positive effects on cognitive decline. This is a result of caffeine, a compound found in coffee, being able to block inflammation in the brain which could lead to Alzheimer’s.
- Coffee may help reduce the chance of Multiple Sclerosis.
Multiple Sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord wherein the insulating covers of the nerves found in both are damaged. Signs and symptoms depend on the severity of the damage but most patients experience difficulty in vision or speech and may even lose the ability to do basic bodily functions like walking.
There are already a lot of studies that support that caffeine protects brain cells from damage. They are then theorizing that drinking more than 900ml. of coffee each day could reduce the chance of developing multiple sclerosis.
- Coffee helps promote healthy gums.
Though coffee is known to stain our teeth and to contribute to tooth decay, what most people don't know is that it can also ward off gum disease. This is again attributed to the antioxidants present in coffee.
Are you looking to start your own coffee shop business? Are you clueless as to how to operate one? Then our Coffee Standard Operating Procedures Manual might be able to help. Download the sampler here but you can also purchase the full version for only $17.
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