The Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Does your morning routine consist of waking up and immediately moving to the kitchen to prepare a fresh cup of coffee? Same. Many of us rely on a daily brew to brush off any tiredness and prepare our minds to focus on the tasks on our to-do list. It turns out that there are other health benefits that come from your latte or long black, and we've listed them all below. From essential nutrients to increased physical performance, your morning brew is much more than a pick-me-up.

Essential nutrients

You may not have thought about the nutritional content of your coffee before, but it contains more than just caffeine and a delicious taste. A single cup of coffee can contain a range of important nutrients that help with body function such as riboflavin, pantothenic acid, manganese, potassium, magnesium and niacin. Of course, the more cups you have in a day the higher your intake levels will be.

More energy

There's a good reason that so many people reach for a cup of coffee before anything else in the morning. When consumed, caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and then travels to the brain where neurons are fired that help you to feel focused, energised and even in a better mood.

Increased physical performance

Some people swear by drinking a cup before they exercise because it may help to increase the amount of oxygen consumption during physical activity which could help to breakdown fat in the body and provide fatty acids as fuel to extend your performance so that you can work out for longer periods at a time without feeling tired.

Lower risk of health issues

While maintaining a healthy and varied diet as well as incorporating daily exercise into your routine is the only proven way to decrease your risk of disease, there has been some research into the role coffee plays in keeping you healthy, specifically against neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's. The good news is that your daily brew could help you in the long run.

There you have it. Not only does your favourite roast boost your energy levels and make you feel alert in the morning, it's a fantastic source of antioxidants and nutrients as well as a great way to increase your physical performance and overall wellbeing. Excuse me while I pop the kettle on.

This is exactly what you should eat before and after a workout.