To drink or not to drink; that is the question. When it comes to coffee and its benefits, people have different opinions. Some say that its caffeine content can be bad for your health and others say it’s not so black or white! Recently, a study confirmed that consuming two to three cups of coffee a day, decaf or otherwise, is associated with lowered risk of certain diseases. Around five lakh people across 10 European countries over the last 16 years found that the ones who had coffee, showed signs of a healthier liver and circulatory system as well as lower levels of inflammation. And it's International Coffee Day, a day dedicated to our favourite caffeinated beverage! So there’s all the more reason to indulge. Here are some health benefits of drinking coffee.

Health Benefits Associated with Coffee

Makes you smarter: Coffee contains a stimulant called caffeine. After drinking coffee, the caffeine is absorbed in the bloodstream and travels to the brain. The stimulant affects the brains and increases your energy levels making you feel less tired, elevates your mood and various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, vigilance and general cognitive function. ‘Cannabis Coffee’ to Be Introduced in a UK Cafe, May Help Reduce Stress & Anxiety.

Burns fat: The stimulant caffeine boosts your metabolic rate and helps in burning fat. People who often work out consume black coffee as a pre-workout drink. Hence, the metabolic rate is increased and helps you burn fat faster.

Lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes: This health problem is currently affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide. It is characterised by elevated blood sugar level in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin. Observational studies reveal that coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia: This disease usually affects people over 65 years of age and is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Several studies show that caffeine drinkers have up to 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Caffeine is thought to prevent the build-up of beta-amyloid, commonly thought to be the main cause of Alzheimer’s.

Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease: The second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s. It is caused by the death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain. Studies have shown that regular coffee drinking decreases the risk of Parkinson’s by 25 percent. Coffee causes activity in the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s.

Protective effects on the liver: Several diseases primarily affect the liver including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others. Many of these diseases can lead to a condition called cirrhosis. There are high chances that coffee may protect you against cirrhosis.

Whether consumption of coffee is healthy or not is a debatable topic. It depends on the amount of daily coffee intake. Innumerable studies have been conducting over decades, coffee has its pros and cons. But for now, moderation is key. These health benefits are surely going to make all the coffee aficionados really happy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2018 01:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).