For a lot of coffee drinkers out there, there’s nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee in the morning.

Despite being the subject of much debate in the realm of health and nutrition, coffee remains a popular go-to drink for both teenagers and adults of all ages.

Plus, besides its established health benefits, the findings of a recent paper found that coffee reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration that can lead to vision loss.

Chlorogenic acid: A natural neuroprotectant

This beneficial effect has been attributed to chlorogenic acid (CGA), a plant compound present in each coffee bean. Each bean contains about seven to nine percent of this compound, and past studies found that it has been linked to a number of health benefits including blood pressure control, reduced cholesterol and enhanced metabolism.

Past research also indicates that CGA is a potential neuroprotectant, meaning that CGA might be able to protect parts of the eye that are most susceptible to inflammation and degeneration, such as the retina.

For the present research, a team from Cornell University in New York tested the effects of CGA on damaged retinal cells in mice. According to their findings, CGA helped reduce retinal cell damage. CGA might also be used to stall the onset of age-related macular degeneration.

Other health benefits of drinking coffee

Drinking the right amount of coffee can lead to a host of other benefits besides better eye health. Here are some of them:

1. Boosts brain health – The natural antioxidants in coffee beans protect the brain from inflammation that can trigger the onset of dementia.
2. Supports heart health – These antioxidants also protect the heart from the harmful effects of bad cholesterol.
3. Fights cancer cells – Coffee has also been found to possess natural cancer-fighting effects against cancer cells of the liver, skin, breasts and pancreas.
4. Protects against diabetes – Studies found that caffeine helps regulate blood sugar and protects insulin-producing cells in the pancreas from inflammation, thus reducing the risk of diabetes.
5. Boosts athletic performance – Drinking a cup of coffee before exercising strengthens muscle contraction and reduces pain perception for better endurance.

Potential health risks related to coffee consumption

If coffee sounds too good to be true, that might be because it is. Not all health professionals agree that coffee is good for our health. In fact, despite studies being made on its health benefits, researchers often underscore the importance of moderate coffee consumption to limit its less than desirable effects on health.

For instance, studies found that too much coffee increases alertness to an alarming degree, causing jitters in some people. Just drinking moderate doses of caffeine in one sitting has also been found to cause rapid breathing and greater stress.

Too much caffeine can also disrupt normal sleeping patterns and lead to sleepless nights or insomnia. There are also reports of loose stools and diarrhea after drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks in the morning.

The bottom line

Like most foods, coffee can become a lot less nutritious if consumed in excess. To avoid going overboard, nutritionists recommend drinking no more than three to five eight-ounce cups of coffee a day.

It’s also important to steer clear of processed caffeinated drinks full of added sugar, such as those found in supermarkets. Stick to fresh coffee beans instead to make the most out of their nutrients.

Sources:

MedicalNewsToday.com

OneMedical.com

Healthline.com