Benefits of That “Cup of Joe”

It’s widely known that cyclists enjoy drinking coffee in the form of, lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and iced coffee drinks.  Some cyclists consider themselves connoisseurs, seeking out establishments that roast their own beans and frequent cafes that offer only the finest coffee.  Cafes in turn, cater to cyclists by offering a discount to clubs, a wide assortment of mouth watering fresh baked pastries, and a conspicuous place to park bicycles.

Controlled medical trials have shown over the years, that coffee drinking provides numerous benefits to ones health. Caffeine improves brain function; energy, cognitive function, mood, reaction times, boosts metabolic rate, aids in fat burning, increase’s Adrenaline levels in the blood stream, provides a significantly greater chance of not contracting Type 2 diabetes while contributing to improved metabolism and endurance performance.

Did you know that coffee contains large quantities of antioxidants, and that women may reduce their risk of heart disease by drinking coffee?  In addition to caffeine, there are hundreds of other antioxidants in coffee that protect our bodies from oxidation, involving free radicals that are known to damage our molecules.  Oxidation is attributed to heart disease and cancer, as well as the negative attributes of aging.

The New England Journal of Medicine did a remarkable study over approximately a dozen years, involving more than 400,000 participants age 50 to 71 years.  Women showed a 16% reduced risk of dying by drinking four to five cups per day, while men experienced a 12% reduced risk by drinking the same four to five cups.  No, drinking a dozen cups of coffee a day will Not make you immortal! Remember, moderation is a good thing.  How about a cup of Joe?  Bon appetite!