Coffee is a beloved beverage worldwide, consumed by people of all backgrounds and cultures. Not only does it taste delicious, but coffee also brings many valuable health benefits.

1. Coffee is Loaded With Antioxidants
Without coffee, we would consume significantly fewer antioxidants, as coffee is the greatest source of antioxidants in the Western diet. Antioxidants are necessary for fighting free radicals and oxidative compounds that damage our cells, proteins, and DNA. Coffee’s high levels of antioxidants are likely the main reason why coffee benefits so many other areas of our health.

2. Coffee May Make You Smarter
If you’ve ever had a quick shot of espresso before an important test or meeting, you’ve likely experienced the mental boost that comes with it. Studies show that caffeine temporarily improves mood, reaction time, memory, and recall abilities.

3. Coffee Helps Physical Performance
Similar to how it helps your brain work, caffeinated coffee also supports a quick boost to physical performance, like before a race or workout. Caffeine increases exercise performance by about 12%, likely because it increases epinephrine (adrenaline) levels.

4. Coffee May Help You Burn Fat
There is some evidence that coffee can help you burn fat. This is because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which boosts metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids (i.e., turning the fats we eat into energy rather than being stored.)

5. Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Coffee is beneficial to metabolic health, which is seen by its role in lowering blood sugar levels. In an extensive review that looked at over 450,000 people, each additional cup of coffee consumed per day reduced their risk of type 2 diabetes by 7%.

6. Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Dementia
The antioxidants in coffee support brain health and may reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that drinking about three or four cups of coffee per day during midlife lowers the risk of dementia by about 65% in later life.

7. Coffee May Even Make You Live Longer
Lastly, drinking coffee is linked to longevity. Studies show that drinking as little as two cups of coffee per day can increase lifespan by two years.