Protection Against Parkinson’s In Your Coffee

Research shows that drinking coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease by as much as 80 percent and protects against other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s. It increases insulin sensitivity, and a high intake—at least six cups a day—lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 54 percent in men and 30 percent in women.

Coffee improves concentration and alertness, boosts mood, and decreases suicide risk. In fact, just the smell of coffee relieves stress in animals. This popular drink also controls asthma and can even halt a full-blown attack in its tracks. Additionally, coffee can stop migraine headaches, curb appetite, prevent tooth decay, and increase the effectiveness of aspirin and other analgesics (Anacin and Excedrin both contain caffeine). And if you drink it before working out, your endurance will improve and you’ll have less exercise-induced muscle pain.

Coffee is a terrific source of protective antioxidants. Researchers evaluating both the antioxidant levels of various foods and drinks and the frequency with which those items are consumed have found that the average amount of coffee consumed by American adults per day about 1.6 cups provides 1,300 mg of antioxidants. Tea, the second richest source, supplied only 295 mg, followed by antioxidant-rich (but sparingly eaten) fruits and vegetables, which provide fewer than 75 mg each of antioxidants per day.

Some studies reveal that regular and decaffeinated coffee both have benefits and caffeine gives the drink much of its oomph. In addition to perking up the nervous system, caffeine increases the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine and enhances delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and brain.