12 Benefits of Coffee & Side Effects

One of the most famous benefits of Coffee is that it gets us out of bed in the morning. That’s all fair and well. But it’s only the beginning of its story. Nevertheless, in recent years, the internet has been enamoured with the benefits of Tea over everyone’s favourite cup of coffee. While Tea does, indeed, have much to offer, it’s about time these remarkable leaves shared the limelight. 

This is what we’ll be attempting to do in the following article, so please keep reading to find out more information. We’ll answer questions such as, “What is the nutritional value of a cup of Coffee?” and “Where is the evidence to support drinking Coffee for its medical qualities?” Once you know the facts, you can buy the finest Beans here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company.

Coffee Nutrition Facts

The nutritional value of Coffee Beans cannot be overstated, especially in the west, where they can be one of the healthiest aspects of a diet. The primary reason is their wealth in antioxidants, which, according to preliminary research, might be more substantial than fruit and vegetables combined. Chemical compounds include:

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
• Magnesium
• Potassium

But what, exactly, can these constituents do to support life in small yet significant ways? Antioxidants play a critical role in combating free radicals in the body, the product of natural, though harmful, oxidative stress. This means that they work on a molecular level to slow damaging oxidation, reducing the risks of developing several chronic conditions. What could be better than that?

Health Benefits of Coffee

Black Coffee benefits can, in fact, get better - much better. While there is still a great deal of room to learn more compared to, say, green tea benefits, what we do know is unquestionably impressive. However, it wasn’t always good news. Once, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Coffee as a carcinogen, meaning it was thought to cause cancer. Now, though, the opposite appears to be true.

Do the same rules of nutritional value apply to Decaf Coffee benefits? It’s complicated. The decaffeination process, which involves removing caffeine from the Beans, also extracts some of its antioxidant strength and thus makes it slightly less beneficial. Therefore, the vast majority of the rest of our article will be dedicated to the “regular” benefits of Coffee. Prepare to be amazed.

1. Coffee Benefits for Skin

There are pros and cons to the benefits of drinking Coffee for skin health. Allow us to start with why people ask, is it bad for your skin before delving deep into its positives. The issue is that it has diuretic activity, a trait that effectively means it dehydrates. Mild though its influence might be, its caffeine content dries out the skin and exacerbates other skin complaints such as acne. 

Meanwhile, should you choose to Make a Coffee Scrub at Home, you’re in for a treat. It turns out that topical application helps to remove dead skin cells, thereby keeping your skin looking fresh and youthful. Furthermore, the Beans have antibacterial and antiviral properties that reduce signs of blemishes. In other words, instead of buying a £90 tub of skin cream, discover how to Recycle Used Coffee Grounds.

2. Benefits of Using Coffee on Hair

It might be a little early to say that Coffee benefits for men and their hair have been proven outright. Still, the preliminary findings surrounding male baldness seem to be promising. This condition tends to occur when the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) damages hair follicles. Women, too, can experience it, although it is more common in men. Enter the outstanding role of Caffeine in Coffee. 

One study from 2007 showed that the stimulant helped block the effects of DHT in male hair follicles. It functioned by stimulating hair shaft elongation to promote longer and wider hair roots. Additionally, it prolonged anagen duration, referring to the hair growth stage. Caffeine likewise increased blood circulation to hair follicles, another feature contributing to fuller and thicker hair.

3. Coffee Heart Benefits

We’ve already discussed how the benefits of drinking Black Coffee are attributed mainly to its prevalence in antioxidants. These antioxidants, as mentioned previously, neutralise free radicals and, as a result, help ward off certain chronic conditions. One of the conditions is none other than cardiovascular disease, often known simply as heart disease. But how and why? A South Korean study has the answers. 

Scientists discovered that volunteers who drank considerable amounts of Coffee daily had fewer early signs of heart disease. Specifically, the study concluded that “moderate Coffee consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis”. It’s worth noting, however, that South Korean diets are often healthier than those in the western hemisphere.

4. Coffee Mental Health Benefits

Having covered the topic “Can Coffee Cause Anxiety?” in an article before, it’s long overdue that we address the argument’s flip side. Because there are, indeed, well-documented mental health benefits of Coffee, the same way that teas to helps with anxiety. Rather than anxiety, though, evidence points to its consumption alleviating mild depression - albeit temporarily. 

According to a meta-analysis, each cup of Coffee that participants drank daily was linked to an 8% lower chance of depression. Another scientific project drew similar conclusions, recognising that at least four cups a day was associated with a lower depression risk compared to just one cup per day. What’s more, if controversially, research suggests that it correlates with a lower risk of suicide.

5. Black Coffee Benefits for Liver Health

By now, of course, the question “Is Coffee good for you?” has been answered multiple times. From its ability to treat skin conditions to hair loss to heart disease to mental health issues, you probably know at this point that brewing a cuppa is an excellent choice. Next, we shall see whether utilising Black Coffee benefits for liver health is a worthwhile endeavour. Spoiler alert: It is exactly as you’d expect. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, drinking Coffee daily lowers liver scarring and liver cancer rates in people with liver disease. Meanwhile, according to 2017 research published in the World Journal of Hepatology, one serving of Coffee reduces the chance of death from chronic liver disease by 15%. Four servings, on the other hand, lowered risks by 71%

6. Can Coffee Help You Lose Weight?

Those wishing to fit into their beloved pair of jeans again should consider the benefits of Coffee. This is because its caffeine content could boost the metabolism of fat cells, enabling the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently. Ultimately, when utilised alongside other lifestyle factors, consuming caffeine before periods of moderate exercise could produce better, perhaps even more noticeable results. 

Numerous studies support these claims, including one that found that Coffee Beans increased fat burning by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people. In a meta-analysis of 12 studies, scientists discovered that high Coffee consumption could prompt a decrease in body fat in men. Yet more research has likewise established that increased Coffee intake reduces body fat in women.

7. Does Coffee Help With Constipation?

It’s no secret that Coffee first thing in the morning can, shall we say, alleviate pressure downstairs when we need it to. But its ability to do so leads to at least two questions: “Why Does Coffee Make You Poop?” and is it a laxative. The answer to the first question is related to caffeine. The answer to the second question is that yes, it is, although it might not be the case for everyone. 

What remains unclear is how, exactly, it works to ease constipation in such a manner. One theory is that caffeine induces bile production and increases bowel movement. Another is that the simple act of drinking it stimulates the defecation reflex known as the gastrocolic reflex. A third theory, originating from a 1990 study, is that drinking Coffee increases rectosigmoid motility.

8. Does Coffee Help Migraines?

A fierce debate persists as to whether Coffee helps or causes migraines. In reality, it appears as if it depends on the person. The case against it is that regular consumption of caffeine narrows blood vessels. When you stop drinking it, these blood vessels enlarge again and so increase blood flow. This, in turn, puts pressure on the brain and surrounding nerves, thus causing a withdrawal headache. 

The case in its favour applies when you continue to drink Coffee and avoid going “cold turkey”. Indeed, so long as you maintain your Java routine, caffeine will provide vasoconstrictive properties that narrow blood vessels, restrict blood flow, and alleviate pain. Moreover, combining the benefits of Coffee with pain medicines increases the absorption and strength of medication to offer faster relief. 

9. Does Coffee Help With Cellulite?

Between 80% and 90% of women experience cellulite, a skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh, predominantly around fatty tissues such as the buttocks and thighs. It happens in men, too, and, while harmless, might make people feel self-conscious about its appearance. Why it occurs is largely unknown, and it can affect almost anyone, but it is most prevalent in those over 25-years-old with excess fat. 

Unfortunately, once someone has cellulite, it’s almost impossible to get rid of it entirely. It then becomes a case of decreasing its prominence on the skin, which is where Coffee Scrubs come into the equation. Again, caffeine plays the starring role, dilating blood vessels and reducing dimples. The Beans’ richness in antioxidants also helps, alongside the scrub’s natural exfoliating nature.

10. Does Coffee Help You Stay Focused?

Coffee is the most commonly consumed pharmacologically active stimulant in the world. It is maybe no surprise, then, that its caffeine content can fight fatigue, increase energy levels, and, fundamentally, enable you to stay focused. Caffeine functions by blocking the receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, allowing other neurotransmitters that regulate energy levels to thrive.  

One small study showed that caffeine consumption could increase time to exhaustion during a cycling exercise by 12%, with reduced subjective levels of fatigue in participants recorded. Another research project established similar findings, demonstrating that caffeine before and during a round of golf improved performance, enhanced energy levels, and decreased feelings of fatigue.

11. Does Coffee Help Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline?

Around 750,000 people live with cognitive decline in the UK alone. Sadly, over the next 40 years, the number could double as Britain’s population ages. Might the benefits of Coffee lend a helping hand? It’s a possibility, according to a meta-analysis of 13 studies. The research found that those who consumed caffeine regularly had a lower risk of the neurodegenerative disorder known as Parkinson’s Disease.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease, a review of 11 observational studies concluded that the more Coffee people drank, the lower the chance of the condition. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, according to several other studies, moderate Coffee consumption has been demonstrated to lower dementia and cognitive decline risks overall. Just don’t expect it to be a fix-all solution.

12. Does Coffee Help Lower Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is a measure of force that the heart needs to pump blood throughout the body. It is calculated in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) through two figures called systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The former is the pressure of the heart pushing blood out. The latter is the pressure the heart needs when resting between beats. The ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

We’ve already addressed the question, “Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?”, in an article. The gist of it is that it does. However, with a rise of only 3-4mmHg, the effect is minimal and dissipates with frequent consumption. Those who’re still a little worried could switch from “regular” Coffee and instead utilise Decaffeinated Coffee benefits. And remember that Coffee helps the heart in other areas!

Does Coffee Have Side Effects?

There you have it: The extraordinary benefits of Coffee in all their glory. Now that we’ve covered the good news, regrettably, it’s time to look at the bad. Caffeinated Coffee and its stimulating nature can lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness and irritability. Other issues include, but are not limited to, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn (acid reflux) and heart palpitations. 

Does Coffee have side effects when you’re pregnant? Expecting mothers should limit their intake for their safety and that of their child’s. This is because caffeine overconsumption can increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight and other problems. The best guidelines to follow are those provided by NHS Choices, which recommends having no more than 200-mg of caffeine daily for pregnant women.

Summary of the Benefits of Coffee

Brimming with vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants, your morning cup of Coffee is more than just a drink. The latest scientific research shows that it vitalises the skin, strengthens hair follicles, improves heart health, alleviates mild depression, treats liver complaints and promotes weight loss. Studies have gone further still to establish that it eases constipation, migraines and cellulite - and even that’s not all. 

The evidence likewise supports its use for staying focused, enhancing cognitive function, and maintaining safe blood pressure levels. It is, in other words, the gift that keeps on giving, a delight to the senses that never ceases to impress.

Be sure to buy it and try it today with The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is packed fresh to order. Start your journey by browsing our selection of Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee. 

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