Starting the workday without coffee almost seems impossible these days. About 54% of adults in the United States are habitual coffee drinkers and work longer hours than their European counter-parts. Thus, Feeling stressed and over-worked could make anyone feel a little bit sluggish in the morning. This is why everyone reaches for that cup of Joe first thing in the morning.
So does this magical brown liquid called coffee, make us better employees? More efficient? More energetic? Healthier? Well, it is no secret that the caffeine in coffee provides a boost or a crutch to start your workday. In fact, research has shown that a cup of Joe a day could help you stay sharper throughout the day. 250 milligrams of caffeine per day-that’s two to three cups of Joe-wakes up the brain, improves concentration, relieves stress, and may also help you live longer.
It seems that over the years the coffee pot has become a fixture at every office, showroom, and boardroom. Certainly, as the cost of living has increased over the years, so has the demand for overtime and longer work hours. Coffee has helped us maintain that balance between our workday and our personal lives by providing a source of energy when it is needed the most.
Could coffee actually be good for your health? A study from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences found that a daily dose of caffeine may block the disruptive effects of high cholesterol that scientists have linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In another study conducted in 2009 showed that drinking coffee can lower the risk of lethal prostate cancer. Coffee is a high source of antioxidants which are mostly found in fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants possess cancer fighting abilities and are very crucial to our daily diet. Most Americans get their antioxidant intake through coffee than any thing else (according to 2005 study by University of Scranton).
America is predominately a coffee drinking nation. 146 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year, about 3 to 4 times as much as tea. There is certainly more positive news out there about coffee than negative. So go ahead and drink your coffee with confidence. However, it is imperative to remember that there is a thin line between caffeine addiction and your daily dosage. So drink responsibly.
Via: examiner.com