Kickstarting the day with a hot cup of coffee is a sacred part of a daily ritual for most, but have you considered if it could kickstart more than just your day-to-day hustle?
It’s an age-old debate – is coffee good or bad for you? According to figures from the BBC we drink an estimated 70 million cups of coffee in the UK every single day and while it may be a well-known fact that caffeine can boost energy and performance there are always questions over how much is too much and are there other health benefits that can come along with every precious sip.
We've invited Ludo Wilson Roy, of Ludo’s Primal Wellness to spill the beans on the positive benefits coffee can have on your lifestyle, health and wellness.
A natural boost
Remember, coffee has protective powers
Did you know coffee consumption and memory have a direct link? Research has suggested that caffeine plays an integral part in protecting against dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. A 2016 study revealed that adults over the age of 65 and older who took an average of 261mg of caffeine a day for 10 years showed fewer signs of dementia than those who consumed half a cup of coffee each day (64mg).
Show your heart the same love you show your coffee
Coffee, and caffeine, have a reputation to set hearts a flutter when consumed in high quantities. While high doses of caffeine can temporarily raise your heartbeat and blood pressure which can pose dangers for people with heart disease, regular consumption doesn’t disrupt the hearts rhythm to create a dangerous irregular pattern known as atrial fibrillation. Remember, it’s important to adopt a balanced lifestyle of healthy food and exercise to keep your heart in shape.
Put fitness first
Think a cup of coffee is reserved for waking you up in the morning? Think again. A jolt of caffeine can improve athletic endurance and reduce fatigue. Studies have shown that taking between 225mg to 600mg an hour before exercise can have an impact on a workout for some people.
Help ease post-workout pain
There’s no better feeling than knowing that you’ve smashed a work out, whether at the home or the gym, but there’s no denying that the pain that often follows can sometimes put a dampener on the buzz. The good news for coffee fans is that a cup of brew can make a big difference. According to a study in the Journal of Pain (2007) drinking two cups of coffee can cut post-workout muscle pain by almost half (48%).
A health promotion you don’t want to miss
When you think of antioxidants, coffee probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. However, the coffee bean is jampacked with antioxidants and boasts a whole host of health promoting qualities. A typical serving of coffee contains more antioxidants than average servings of blueberries, oranges and raspberries which can help reduce inflammation and reduce heart disease.
Coffee benefits
Some say humanity runs on coffee and with a range of health benefits it’s easy to see why. However, as with all aspects of your health and wellbeing it’s important to be aware of what works best for you when it comes to consumption.
For most people, consuming caffeine poses no great health risk if taken within safe amounts. People who have never had a heart attack, or keep their blood pressure well controlled, shouldn’t consume more than 400mg of caffeine a day – that’s typically four cups of coffee or up to 10 cups of black tea. For those living with heart disease or who have had a heart attack are advised to keep their dosage to half of that.
Your source of caffeine is important too. Coffee is a great option as it contains disease fighting antioxidants, but you should avoid adding too much cream or sugar which adds extra calories and fat.
If you’re keen to find out more or for support to improve your health, fitness and wellbeing Ludo’s Primal Wellness is proud to provide expert guidance. We’ve handpicked the best health and fitness professionals, including personal trainers, fitness coaches, nutritionists, physiotherapists and doctors to work with you. For more, visitwww.ludosprimalwellness.com.
Photo credits to Ludo Roy and to Greig Corr at Ochil Ultra.