When it comes to coffee, most people
have a mixed reaction to the alluring black water. While most of us
can’t even think of beginning our day’s work without enjoying a steaming
cup of black coffee, many health conscious people strictly stay away
from it because of the rumoured disadvantages of coffee.
In reality, the numerous health benefits of black coffee outweigh the
disadvantages. Black coffee contains Riboflavin (Vitamin B2),
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Magnesium, Manganese
and Potassium. Black coffee does contains caffeine and taking caffeine
in large doses can be harmful to health. The safe level of caffeine is
between 200 to 300 milligrams per day which comes up to 2 to 4 cups of
coffee. In this article, we present to you the top 10 health benefits of
black coffee and the most popular coffee joints around the world where
you can enjoy the best quality coffee.
10 Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Black Coffee
Coffee is extremely healthy, and is
loaded with powerful antioxidants and nutrients which makes it one of
the healthiest of beverages loved by people all over the world.
Improve Performance During Workouts
– One of the biggest benefits of black coffee is that it drastically
improves physical performance and helps you give your 100% throughout
strenuous workout sessions. Caffeine, present in black coffee, increases
Epinephrine (Adrenaline) levels in the blood, which prepares the body
for intense physical exertion. Caffeine also breaks down stored body fat
and releases the fat cells into the blood stem in the form of free
fatty acids which can be used as fuel for strenuous activities. Caffeine
can enhance physical performance by almost 11 to 12% on an average. It
is suggested to consume a cup of strong coffee about 30 minutes before
hitting the gym.
Promotes Weight Loss – Coffee can be used as one of the functional natural remedies for weight loss
that shows prompt results. Caffeine has been shown to boost the
metabolism rate of the body by 3 to 11%. It also stimulates the nervous
system which signals the fat cells in the body to break down stored body
fat which is then used up by the body as a source of energy during
exercise as opposed to glycogen.
Caffeine and other compounds found in
black coffee also act as an appetite suppressant and prevent unhealthy
cravings in a successful manner.
Controls Diabetes – One
of the most effective benefits of drinking black coffee on a daily
basis is that helps in providing protection against diabetes mellitus –
one of the widely prevalent chronic diseases which can further lead to
heart diseases, nerve damage and organ damage. Research shows that
subjects who consumed 7 or more cups of black coffee every day have a
lower incidence of diabetes compared to those who drank 2 or fewer cups
every day. Coffee helps control diabetes by improving insulin production
and enhancing insulin sensitivity of the cells. Both caffeinated and
decaffeinated coffee is beneficial for management and prevention of
diabetes.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
– One of the lesser-known advantages of drinking coffee is improved
cardiovascular health. Although regular consumption of black coffee can
increase blood pressure temporarily, this effect diminishes over time.
It is often considered one of the most functional home remedies for heart health. Drinking 1 to 2 cups of black coffee per day reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Reduce the Risk of Cancer
– Cancer has emerged as one of the biggest killers in today’s world.
The health benefits of black coffee for cancer prevention are
well-known. The compounds in coffee help prevent certain types of cancer
such as liver cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and rectal cancer.
The polyphenols and powerful antioxidant phytochemicals present in
coffee possess potent anticarcinogenic properties which help reduce
inflammation, which is one of the main causes behind the growth of
certain tumors.
Improved Brain Functions
– Progressing age leads to decreased cognitive functions and increases
the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Enhancing
brain functions is one of the most useful benefits of black coffee in
the morning. Regular consumption of coffee is linked to slower cognitive
decline associated with aging. Although following a healthy and balanced diet chart
and regular exercises is the best way to prevent neurodegenerative
diseases, forming the healthy habit of drinking coffee also helps lower
the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 65% and Parkinson’s disease by 60%.
Beneficial for The Liver
– The liver is one of the most vital organs of the body which performs
so many important functions, and your liver loves black coffee. Black
coffee not only helps prevent liver cancer but also other common
diseases like hepatitis, fatty liver diseases and cirrhosis –
specifically alcoholic cirrhosis. People who drink 4 or more cups of
black coffee every day have 80% lower risk of developing liver diseases.
Coffee helps lower the levels of harmful liver enzymes in the blood,
which means there is a lower level of liver inflammation and damage.
Reduces Stress and Depression
– Excessive work pressure and tension leads to stress and depression
and increases the risk of serious health issues like heart attack,
stroke and also increases the risk of suicide. But a steaming cup of
black coffee can give an instant mood lift and make things better.
Caffeine present in coffee stimulates the central nervous system and
increases the production of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline –
important neurotransmitters that elevate the mood. Drinking 2 cups of
black coffee a day helps to reduce stress and depression, and it works
as effectively as relaxing yoga and tai chi techniques.
Protection Against Gout
– Yet another amazing benefit of black coffee is its capacity to reduce
the risk of developing gout. Research shows that women who drank more
than 4 cups of black coffee every day had 57% reduced risk of gout, and
this is true for both regular and decaffeinated coffee. The powerful
antioxidants present in coffee reduce the risk of developing gout by
decreasing the level of insulin and uric acid in the body. It helps
relieve the swelling, pain and stiffness of joints associated with gout.
Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer –
This is perhaps the one of the greatest benefits of black coffee for
skin. Skin cancer or melanoma is a life-threatening disease that is
caused by the development of abnormal cells which have the ability to
spread to other parts of the body. Caffeine present in black coffee has
been shown to lower the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma.
Therefore, women are recommended to drink 3 or more cups of coffee a day
to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
10 Most Popular Coffee Shop Chains in the World
Tasting and enjoying rich premium coffee
is an art that has to be experienced and enjoyed with leisure. Now that
you have gathered some idea about the numerous health benefits of
drinking black coffee on a daily basis let us know about the best coffee
brands and famous coffee shop chains from all around the World where
you can enjoy a truly great cup of coffee. And it better be black if you
really want to experience the taste in its original form.
Starbucks Coffee
What better way to begin our day
with one of the world’s most popular coffee chains. Starbucks coffee –
the star of the show. Starbucks has a long history of serving pure and
excellent quality coffee and delicious coffee-based beverages, and it
has shops all over the world, with a few in India as well. Starbucks is
an American coffee company that is famous for its hot and cold beverages
and the first Starbucks coffee shop opened in the year 1971 in Seattle,
Washington.
Some of the best Starbucks coffee
flavours you can choose from are Featured Dark Roast, Decaf Pike Place
Roast, Pike Place Roast, Clover brewed coffee – all of which are
extremely low in calories and the perfect choice for all those health
conscious people out there. If you are on the run, then you can just
pick up a Coffee Traveler from the takeaway section of the store.
Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee is known to serve the best
coffee in the world. It is a British multinational coffeehouse company
based in Dunstable, England. The coffee used in Costa Coffee comes from
its own roastry and the special blend served in the retail store is
known as “Mocha Italia” and it is prepared to form a blend of 70%
Arabica and 30% Robusta.
Lovers of black coffee can try the
Americano range which presents smooth coffee mixed with shots of
espresso and hot water. You can add milk if you want.
McCafé
McCafé is a famous coffee-house chain
owned by burger giant McDonald’s. It started operating in the USA in the
year 2001, and presently has numerous shops operating all over the
world. Each and every type of coffee reflects a rich and smooth blend of
coffee made by their very own barista. You can opt for the plain McCafé
Coffee that contains zero calories and zero fats or McCafé Latte that
contains 170 calories.
You can indulge in an occasional treat
by tasting the McCafé White Chocolate Mocha, McCafé Caramel Mocha,
McCafé Frappé Chocolate Chip or the McCafé Iced Mocha.
Gloria Jean’s Coffees
Next in the list is Gloria Jean’s
Coffees, which is a world famous coffee shops brand that was founded by
Gloria Jean Kvetko in Chicago, the USA in the year 1979. Later, two
coffee connoisseurs Nabi Saleh and Peter Irvine introduced the brand to
Australia. Black coffee lovers can try the classic CAFFÉ AMERICANO (LONG
BLACK) which is made from a blend of espresso coffee and hot water.
It contains merely 6 calories and lees
than 0.1 gram of total fat. You can also indulge in the delicious taste
of the Gloria Jean specialities such as Caffé Mocha, Mocha Caramel
Latté, Irish Nut Crème or White Chocolate Mocha.
Coffee Beanery
Coffee Beanery is a Michigan-based chain
of coffee shops that operates in the US, US territories, Europe and
Asia that was founded in the year 1976. It introduced the term
“Speciality Coffee” into the market and provided top quality and
exceptional coffee, and it is still true to its commitment to quality.
The coffee used to prepare the brews is
made from hand-selected beans that are roasted, flavoured and packed at
their own warehouse and distribution center. You can taste the Beanery
Blend or Beanery Blend Decaf both of which are low in calories and has
zero total fat.
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons’ coffee is known as Canada’s
favourite coffee, and this coffee chain has the reputation of serving
you a “fresh pot” every time without fail – which means you can enjoy
freshly brewed coffee every time which has not been sitting in the jugs
for hours. It is one of the largest coffee shop chains in the world and
was founded in Hamilton, Ontario in the year 1964 by Canadian hockey
player Tim Horton and Jim Charade. You can choose your fresh cup of
premium coffee from the Original Blend, the New Dark Roast Coffee or the
Decaf Coffee.
The Original Blend presents a perfectly
balanced, medium-roasted blend, whereas the New Dark Roast Coffee is
made from 100% premium blend of Arabica beans roasted with great care.
Even the Decaf Coffee is so flavourful that you will think it is regular
coffee.
Dunkin’ Donuts
Donuts are America’s favourite snack and
what better accompaniment for a delicious donut than a cup of steaming
coffee? Dunkin’ Donuts is a global doughnut and coffeehouse chain based
in Canton, Massachusetts, and it is one of the biggest competitors of
Starbucks. Each cup of coffee is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans
that are grown, picked and graded as per the strict quality
specification of Dunkin’ Donuts.
You can relax your senses and get an instant boost of energy by sipping on a cup of freshly brewed black Hot Coffee or Espresso.
Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee is the second largest
coffee chain in the North America, and is spread over 10 countries,
specializing in delicious handcrafted espresso. It is a Minnesota-based
company founded by John Puckett. The brand is famous as the roaster of
its own blends of coffee. You can choose from the classic Espresso,
Americano and Iced Americano. The Espresso is smooth and bold with a
sophisticated and powerful taste and makes a perfect base for delicious
lattes, cappuccinos and espresso-based beverages, and it is exquisite on
its own as well. It has only 5 calories.
The Americano is made with a blend of
rich espresso and hot water which creates a bolder version of the
classic brewed coffee and it has zero calories and zero total fat. The
Iced Americano is rich espresso combined with water and ice, and it has 5
calories.
Tully’s Coffee
Tully’s Coffee is a speciality coffee
retailer and whole seller which was founded in the year 1992 in Seattle,
Washington, and soon spread all over the world. It is famous for its
speciality coffees, espresso and coffee-related supplies. Rumour has it
that Tully’s considered the Coffee giant Starbucks as its chief
competitor. The freshly roasted coffee made from premium quality beans
at Tully’s has a rich, vibrant and smooth taste. Some of the best black
coffee options as Tully’s Coffee are Americano, Brewed Coffee and
Espresso. The Americano is a bolder version of the classic American
coffee made from a shot of espresso infused with hot water.
This procedure creates an intensely
complex blend of tastes and aromas. The Brewed Coffee reveals the subtle
tastes and characteristics of both the single-origin and blended
coffees. Tully’s Espresso is extremely aromatic and full-bodied and can
be used as the perfect base of latte and mochas.
Lavazza Coffee
Last but not the least is Lavazza
Coffee, which is also known as Italy’s favourite coffee. It is a
successful coffee giant well-known all over the world. Lavazza is an
Italian manufacturer of coffee products founded by Luigi Lavazza in
Turin in the year 1895. The business began as a small grocery store, and
the business of Lavazza is still administered and managed by the 3rd
and 4th generation of the Lavazza family. Lavazza imports coffee beans
from various countries around the world like Brazil, Columbia,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Uganda, Indonesia, Vietnam, Untied States and
Mexico.
Lavazza supports and promotes
sustainable production concerns and has started a sustainable
agriculture program in Honduras, Colombia and Peru which aims to improve
the quality of coffee as well as the environment and working conditions
of the workers working in the coffee plantations. You can choose from
the Lavazza classic Espresso or Caffee Americano in order to experience
the true taste of Lavazza coffee.
So, choose your favourite coffee brand
as per your personal taste and preference and get ready to tantalize
your taste buds with the smooth and sophisticated taste of premium black
coffee.
