For the majority of Americans, the day hasn’t begun until they’ve had their first cup of coffee. Many people feel they need the caffeine to get going in the morning, or for a quick afternoon pick-me-up. Beyond being part of your morning wake-up ritual, coffee has been proven to provide a number of positive benefits to our health.
Top on the list of benefits of drinking coffee are antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the cells in our bodies from free-radicals which can lead to cancer. They have also been proven to slow down the aging process and prevent diseases. Coffee also contains magnesium which, along with the antioxidants, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Other health benefits provided by coffee include:
- Reduced risk of colorectal cancers
- Increased mental alertness
- Improved digestion
- Protect against cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer
- Reduced risk of stroke
- Increases effectiveness of painkillers
- Possible reduction of cholesterol
- Reduced risk of Parkinson’s Disease
According to a Harvard University Study (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/questions/coffee), using a paper filter to brew your coffee is a good idea if you are concerned about cholesterol. Coffee contains a substance called cafestol, which remains on the filter when brewed. If you choose to brew your coffee via French press, you’ll consume a higher level of cafestol, which stimulates the LDL or bad cholesterol levels in your blood.
For a great, fresh roasted coffee, visit St. Thomas Roasters located at 5951 Linglestown Rd. in Harrisburg. They serve up a large variety of coffees and roast their beans on site daily. Hours are 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
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