Coffee is the thing with which millions of Americans start their day. It’s warm, inviting and full of caffeine, making it an essential stimulant to start the day. But what is really going on in your body when you drink that cup of Joe? Do you drink something that benefits you in the long run, or do you feed your body with a harmful substance? With differing opinions on the subject, here is what science says: the good and the bad.
First, the benefits
1. Protection against different types of cancers
Several studies have been conducted to determine whether the carcinogenic properties of coffee are related to cancer development – a link that the researcher could not find. However, several studies, including some cited by the American Cancer Society, have shown that coffee can actually protect against many cancers.
The ACS website stated that “coffee can reduce the risk of many types of cancer, including head and neck cancers, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer … Hundreds of biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols are found in roasted coffee. These compounds and other coffee compounds have been shown to increase energy expenditure, inhibit cell damage, regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and/or inhibit metastasis, between other activities. ”