It’s one of the most popular drinks on the planet. And for good reason.
This beverage is full of antioxidants, contains over 1,000 active biological compounds, fights off disease, and effectively prevents skin, prostate, and oral cancers.
Yet somehow it gets a bad rap.
But a new study from Japan confirms what we’ve been saying all along. This “dangerous” drink is indeed good for you. This time the research shows that drinking just five ounces can greatly increase blood circulation in a little over an hour.
Dr. Masato Tsutsui, the lead researcher of this study, hypothesizes that an important component of this beverage opens blood vessels and reduces inflammation. This is most likely what causes the increase in circulation. It may also cause the inner linings of the blood vessels to work better. The better these cells work, the less likely you are to suffer a stroke or heart disease.1
So what is the popular drink researchers studied?
They were looking at mankind’s favorite morning fuel, coffee.
The study measures the effects of caffeinated coffee on 27 adults in good health. In comparison to decaffeinated, regular coffee increases blood flow by 30 percent in about 75 minutes.2 You see, it was the caffeine that opened the blood vessels.
As critics point out, too much coffee can have a negative impact on your health. This can include increases in blood pressure and heart palpitations.3
But participants here drank only five ounces. That’s barely over half a cup of coffee.
In moderation, regular coffee can be extremely beneficial to your health. This study shows that it can increase your blood circulation, but previous studies point out coffee’s role in preventing heart attack, Parkinson’s disease, and liver cancer.4
And though the regular coffee in this study caused a slight increase in blood pressure, it did not increase heart rate. This means that the heart can pump blood more efficiently without having to work harder.
Be sure to drink a coffee with minimal roasting and processing to get the most out of your morning mug. Always avoid designer coffee with silly names that boast high levels of caffeine. These can cause you to skip over the health benefits of a small cup of coffee and go head-on to the jitters.
To experience the full benefits, skip the sugar and dairy.
So if you’re a fan of your morning coffee, this is great news. And if you don’t drink coffee, this may be a good reason to give it a try.
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References:
1 http://www.philly.com/philly/health/hearthealth/HealthDay682333_20131120_Does_Caffeine_in_Coffee_Perk_Up_Heart_Health_.html
2 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-11/aha-cmh111213.php
3 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2013/11/20/coffee-heart-disease/3646265/
4 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coffee-and-health/AN01354