But first, coffee.
Yes, the smell of fresh coffee in the morning is enough to have you dancing around the office; but have you ever given yourself more of a reason to celebrate?
Let’s forget the aroma, and the creamy taste for a minute and have a look at some of the benefits that your morning coffee provides.
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Great source of antioxidants:
Some studies argue coffee contains more antioxidants than your daily fruit and veggie intake. The two major antioxidants, polyphenols and hydrocinnamic acids fight inflammation, combat free radicals which cause cellular damage, and lessen the risk of chronic conditions.
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Building a healthy heart:
A Dutch study analysing more than 37,000 people over 13 years found that individuals who consumed between two to four cups daily had a 20 percent decrease in risk of heart disease when compared to heavy or non-coffee drinkers.
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Can help prevent type 2 diabetes:
With every daily cup of coffee consumed, comes a decrease in the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, a serious condition occurring when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin.
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Lowers the risk of liver cancer:
Reverse the effect of drinking alcohol by having a coffee once a day. Drinking coffee has been shown to provide the body and liver with a natural detox, helping to protect the onset of cirrhosis.
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Increase metabolism and exercise performance:
A cup of coffee has the power to fight fatigue, enhance endurance, and strengthen muscle contraction. For exercisers, caffeine reduces the perception of pain, as well as increasing fatty acids in the blood and increasing the metabolic rate by 3-11%.
Coffee lovers, rejoice. Stick to 1-2 cups a day and enjoy the health benefits of the rich tasting morning pick me up.