IS COFFEE GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN?

IS COFFEE GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN?

 

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. The morning beverage (or, for some, afternoon pick-me-up) is most known for its high caffeine content, perking up even the most tired eyes.

Given coffee’s popularity, several studies have examined its effects on your health, both immediate and in the long term.

As it turns out, moderate coffee consumption is associated with health benefits, including a reduced risk of prediabetes and liver disease. (1, 2Trusted Source).

Researchers have also looked into caffeine’s effect on your brain — and the findings so far look quite promising when it comes to your cognitive health.

Coffee contains hundreds of bioactive compounds that contribute to its potentially powerful health benefits.

Many of these compounds are antioxidants, which fight the damage caused by harmful free radicals in your cells.

Here are coffee’s most important active ingredients (3Trusted Source):

  • Caffeine. The main active ingredient in coffee, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.
  • Chlorogenic acids. These polyphenol antioxidants may benefit some biological pathways, such as blood sugar metabolism and high blood pressure.
  • Cafestol and kahweol. Present in coffee’s natural oil, these compounds are found in high amounts in unfiltered coffee.
  • Trigonelline. This alkaloid compound is unstable at high heat, and during roasting it forms nicotinic acid, also known as niacin (vitamin B3).

However, the amounts of these substances in a cup of coffee may vary. www.Healthline.com

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