By Katy Siwirski Coffee is considered an everlasting glory to some individuals. People describe it as a necessity to function in their everyday life, especially for waking up in the morning. Caffeine is one of the most prominent addictions adults possess today, but are there benefits to this addicti...

By Katy Siwirski

Coffee is considered an everlasting glory to some individuals. People describe it as a necessity to function in their everyday life, especially for waking up in the morning. Caffeine is one of the most prominent addictions adults possess today, but are there benefits to this addiction? Certainly!

According to a 2009 University of Florida study, it is said that 3-5 cups of caffeinated coffee daily in your 40s and 50s seem to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in your 70s by up to 70 percent. A 2013 study by Harvard’s School of Public Health found that consuming 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee a day cuts the risk of suicide by 45 percent. This could be explained by caffeine’s stimulant effect that boosts one’s mood. Coffee consumption can also protect oneself against various forms of cancer, including uterine, colon, prostate, and liver cancer.

Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which gives a stimulating effect. Caffeine helps improve overall brain and mood functions. Fun fact, you will find caffeine in most commercial fat-burning supplements. Caffeine raises metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids. It was found that caffeine increases exercise performance by up to 12 percent. There are also many important nutrients and vitamins within coffee. These include vitamin B5, B2, B3, and B1.

Overall, people have various reactions to caffeine. Someone can drink six cups of coffee and feel completely satisfied. Others have to switch to decaf by noon, or risk being awake all night. If you need to cut back on caffeine, do it slowly over several weeks by adding more decaf to your brew. The most important thing to remember is that caffeine is not solely in coffee. There is caffeine in soda pop and chocolate that can trigger various bodily reactions. Cheers to coffee!