As I open my eyes at 6 am every morning the first thing I hear is the coffee pot perking, the first thing I smell being those delicious, dark, coffee beans. I run downstairs, fill my coffee mug to the top, and as I go in to take my first sip I think to myself “does this drink I intake at least once a day have any nutritional benefits”? Well, according to a study by Harvard students, a moderate consumption of coffee has been associated with benefits such as lowering your risk of contracting diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, liver and endometrial cancers, depression, Parkinson’s, and even heart disease. So, as you drink your coffee throughout the day, have the peace of mind that as long as you are not over-caffeinated, it is actually working wonders for your health.  

While some may argue that the caffeine in coffee is not good for you, we have to realize that coffee and energy drinks are comparable in caffeine levels. A study found that an average cup of coffee has around 85 milligrams of caffeine while a Red Bull contains around 80, so energy drinks and coffee have a very close caffeine balance. However, while caffeine and taste are the first thought that comes to mind when discussing coffee, there are actually a lot of beneficial hidden ingredients. For example, coffee contains many antioxidants which are beneficial in protecting the cells against damage. Along with antioxidants, coffee contains many vitamins including B2 and B3 along with magnesium and potassium. A study was done that actually stated that coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants in the American diet and other studies show that 75% of American adults drink at least one coffee per day, so Americans really are improving their health with this substance!

Now let’s get to the obvious benefits of drinking coffee such as more energy and a better mood. The caffeine in the coffee has a way of stimulating your central nervous system which is an obvious way of giving you more energy when you are tired.

Other than preventing many long term diseases as well as giving you short term energy, coffee also helps your thyroid to function more efficiently. Your thyroid is a very vital part of your bodies as it is the gland that produces hormones which enable us to regulate our metabolism and growth. If your thyroid begins to produce too little hormones then you may experience symptoms such as weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance, and fatigue. If your thyroid begins to produce an overabundance of hormones then you will experience symptoms such as weight gain, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and even muscle weakness. So, it is vital to keep all your thyroid levels balanced and healthy and coffee helps our bodies do this. A study done in 2023 published by the Nutrition Journal shared the statistics that an intake of caffeine between 9.97 and 264.97 milligrams is linked to improving and balancing hormonal and thyroid functions. 

Furthermore, while it may not be the best idea to drink an overabundance of caffeine, it is believed that drinking 1-2 cups of coffee everyday can stimulate many healthy actions within our bodies and in the end greatly benefit our overall physical and even emotional health. 

Works Cited

“9 Reasons Why (the Right Amount of) Coffee Is Good for You.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 20 June 2024, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you.

Clark. “Coffee vs. Energy Drink: Which Is Better?” Golden Ratio Coffee, Golden Ratio Coffee, 20 Sept. 2024, drinkgoldenratio.com/a/blog/coffee-vs-energy-drink#:~:text=An%208oz%20cup%20of%20black,16oz%2C%20which%20means%20more%20caffeine.

“Is Coffee Good or Bad for Your Health?” Harvard T.H. Chan: School of Public Health , The President and Fellows of Harvard College , 28 Nov. 2023, www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFor%20most%20people%2C%20moderate%20coffee,%2C%20Parkinson’s%20disease%2C%20and%20depression.

Manaker , Lauren. “What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Coffee Every Day.” EatingWell, EatingWell, 3 Sept. 2023, www.eatingwell.com/article/8069479/is-coffee-good-for-you/.