5 Proven Ways Coffee Can Improve Your Health

Team Verywell Health
3 days ago
2 min read

Coffee isn’t just a morning pick-me-up; it’s linked to surprising health benefits beyond energy. From boosting sexual health to supporting your gut and aiding weight loss, your daily cup of coffee may do more for you than you think.

1. It May Help You Live Longer

Drinking coffee may be key to adding years to your life. Research shows that consuming one to three cups of black caffeinated coffee daily may lower your risk of death and cardiovascular disease.

The study found a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality and death from cardiovascular disease for participants who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee a day, and two to three cups reduced the risk by 17%. However, adding some sugar and milk or cream cancels out these benefits, with the study finding a 14% lower risk of death.

2. It May Support Your Gut

Another health benefit: Coffee may support the gut microbiome (the community of microbes in the gut). People who drink coffee (regular and decaf) had higher levels of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, a gut bacterium linked to increased levels of quinic acid. This antioxidant can help lower oxidative stress and inflammation.

The polyphenols in coffee may provide a prebiotic effect by promoting the growth of good gut bacteria. These plant compounds can help improve digestion. A diverse gut microbiome is also associated with regular bowel movements.

3. It May Boost Your Sexual Health

Drinking coffee can improve your sexual health in a few way:

Improving erectile dysfunction (ED): Males who consumed about one to two cups of regular coffee were 42% less likely to experience ED.
Increasing testosterone levels: Research shows that consuming caffeine before a workout boosts testosterone levels temporarily after exercise.
Improving sexual stamina: Drinking a cup of coffee 45 minutes before sex may increase sexual stamina.

4. It May Help You Lose Weight

Drinking coffee alone won't lead to weight loss. However, coffee may help improve your metabolism by:

Burning more calories: After drinking coffee, your metabolic rate increases by 5% to 20% for about three hours.
Increasing fat breakdown: Coffee significantly improved fat breakdown in the body, particularly in individuals with leaner body weight compared to those with obesity.
Reducing appetite: Drinking coffee before a meal may reduce the calories consumed by about 20% for men, but not for women.