Coffee is the world’s favorite morning pick-me-up. After all, who wouldn’t love a delicious and flavorful hot beverage that comes with its own built-in stirring spoon? In addition to providing a natural source of energy, drinking coffee also offers a host of hidden benefits. Fortunately, we’re not talking about that icky “dark roast” stuff here. You see, there are two main types of coffee: light and dark roast. Light roast has a milder flavor than a dark roast, which makes it ideal for people who don’t normally like the taste of coffee. Don’t worry: neither type will give you liver spots or other sinister side effects! Darker coffees tend to be slightly lower in caffeine but higher in antioxidants, which is why they’re often recommended for those at risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s

If you drink two to three cups of coffee each day, you may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by 50%. Although scientists aren’t sure why coffee has this effect, they think it may have something to do with its high caffeine content. Caffeine helps increase your brain’s level of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood. People with Alzheimer’s often suffer from low dopamine levels, which can cause them to become disorientated, anxious, and confused. Coffee’s caffeine may help you stay focused and remember important tasks, which could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease later in life.

Help you lose weight

A cup of coffee before your workout can help you lose weight. Caffeine is an adenosine antagonist, which means it binds to adenosine receptors in your muscles and nervous system. When caffeine binds to these receptors, it prevents adenosine from doing its job. Caffeine can prevent adenosine from slowing your heart rate, which is why it’s often used in pre-workout supplements. When caffeine binds to your muscles and nervous system, it can cause a small increase in your blood pressure. This rise in blood pressure may also slightly increase your heart rate. In other words, you can view your morning cup of coffee as a mini workout! Caffeine can also help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism.

Improve your vision

Coffee can help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a leading cause of blindness in older adults. Coffee contains antioxidants called phenols, which can reduce the risk of AMD by up to 60%. Coffee can also improve your vision in more ways than one. Research has found that caffeine can increase your eye’s ability to process light, so it may help you see better when it’s cloudy. In fact, in one study, caffeine was shown to increase light sensitivity by up to 50%. This can help you see better when driving at night, or if you have to work in a dimly lit office. Coffee can also help you prevent macular degeneration by lowering your risk of developing glaucoma.

Fight depression and anxiety

Coffee is often recommended to people with anxiety and depression, and with good reason. Coffee contains the same neurotransmitters that anti-depressants do: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. When you drink coffee, your brain breaks down the caffeine molecules and uses them to make these “happy” neurotransmitters. Caffeine has a shorter half-life than the neurotransmitters it produces, so it will leave your system in a few hours. Phenols in coffee can also help reduce anxiety and depression by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, which allows it to remain in your system longer. Coffee also contains l-theanine, a natural amino acid that can reduce stress and improve your mood.

Increase your bone strength

Coffee is full of magnesium, a mineral that promotes healthy bone health. Drinking two to three cups of coffee each day can reduce your risk of osteoporosis by up to 50%. Coffee can help protect your bones by increasing your body’s blood flow. When blood flows through your body, it carries calcium, which is necessary for healthy bone growth. This calcium can then be used to build new, stronger bones. Although coffee is one of the richest sources of magnesium, it has a lower concentration of this mineral than other foods. This is why some nutritionists recommend that you take a magnesium supplement to get the most out of coffee’s bone-protecting properties.

Bottom line - Drink up!

Coffee has been around for centuries, and for good reason. Not only does it taste great, but it can also improve your health in a variety of ways. So, if you’re not already a coffee drinker, now is the time to start. You won’t regret it! If you’re already a coffee fan, be sure to enjoy it often. Even though coffee can offer a number of benefits, too much can cause health problems. Limit yourself to two to three cups a day, and you’ll reap all the rewards without any of the cons. And don’t forget: you don’t have to settle for plain old black coffee. There are many different ways you can prepare your coffee to suit your tastes and mood. Explore the many different varieties of coffee, and find one that you absolutely love!