Coffee is uplifting, energizing and on many cold, dark mornings, necessary! Sipping (or gulping) a hot cup of coffee is for many the morning ritual that makes facing the day something to look forward to, or at least tolerate. There is new research out that says coffee may be more of a mood enhancer than was once thought. According to BBC news, research published yesterday in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that regularly drinking coffee can help to prevent depression. Move over Prozac and Zoloft, caffeine can change brain chemistry too!
The happy coffee research
In a study involving women, all nurses, coffee proved for many to reduce the chances of developing depression. The study spanned ten years, tracking the coffee drinking habits and mood of over 50,000 women. Those who drank a moderate amount of coffee, two to three cups a day, had a 15 percent drop in risk. Drinking three to four cups showed an even greater reduction, 20 percent. The majority of study participants who did develop depression were the ones who drank very little coffee, maybe a cup or two in a week.
Coffee and mental health
This new study is not the first to link coffee with mood enhancement. It does however make a powerful argument for the benefits of enjoying coffee, or even a cup of black tea or hot cocoa, which both contain some caffeine as well. Decaf coffee is not going to do the depression prevention trick, however.
On the other hand, there is such a thing as too much. If drinking coffee makes you feel anxious or nervous or if you notice physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, take a break or switch to a more subtle alternative such as green tea. Also, too much caffeine can lead to trouble sleeping, which can create mood problems.
Basically, if coffee works for you, you have another reason to feel good about drinking it. If you don't love coffee, don't drink it. Black tea, green tea and herbal teas are all loaded with health benefits as well.
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