[ Photo by Freepik.com] Here are 5 powerful reasons to give someone a squeeze today Hugging is very comforting. In addition, there is no substitution for that warm feeling of holding someone in your arms (or being held). The coronavirus pandemic evidenced it well when hugs were probably at the top of the list of things you missed the most. The isolation and lack of human connection made quarantining very difficult. We hug when we’re excited, happy, sad, or seeking comfort. Hugging makes us feel good. And it turns out that it makes us healthier too. There’s strong evidence that giving your loved ones an affectionate squeeze can actually be good for your health. So check out 5 health benefits of hugs! Hugs boost your immune system Hugs can make you feel good – and stronger too. Hugging can boost levels of natural killer cells, lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, and other immune-boosting cells. Touching and hugging can also affect our body’s immune response through hormone regulation, includi
In addition to being tasty, coffee has several health benefits!
Ah, coffee! The smell of fresh coffee in the morning is just irresistible, isn’t it? There’s something incredibly soothing about sipping a steaming cup of coffee, and it’s hard to imagine starting a day without it. The good news is that, in addition to being delicious, coffee is also healthy – in the right amount, of course. Coffee contains high levels of antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease. So, prepare yourself a nice cup of coffee and check these 7 reasons why coffee is good for you.
Coffee decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a significant public health problem that affects more and more people around the world. However, people who drink coffee often have a significantly reduced risk of developing the disease. A Harvard School of Public Health (US) study gathered data on over 48,000 people found that those who increased their coffee consumption by at least one cup per day over 4 years had an 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those who did not increase their intake. Furthermore, the University of Sydney (Australia) conducted a comprehensive review of 18 studies, with a total of 457,922 people, associated each daily cup of coffee with a 7% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Coffee helps fighting depression
Depression is a severe mental disorder that increasingly affects more people around the world. However, caffeine can help improve the condition. A University of Harvard (US) study found that women who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. According to research conducted by the University of Coimbra (Portugal) in 2015, caffeine could inhibit the receptors that cause various symptoms of depression.
Coffee improves physical performance
Coffee can also help you perform better in exercise. It increases the epinephrine levels (adrenaline) in your blood - the “fight or flight” hormone, which prepares the body for intense physical exertion, as shown by the 2002 Medical Center Nijmegen (Netherlands) study. Other two studies – from Philadelphia General Hospital (USA) in 1967 and the Veterans Administration and National Institutes of Health (USA) from 1980 – showed that caffeine mobilizes fatty acids from adipose tissues, using them as fuel and thus improving athletic performance. So it makes sense to have a cup of coffee half an hour before going to the gym!
Coffee increases energy levels
Coffee increases your energy levels and helps you feel less tired – perhaps the best-known benefit of this fantastic drink. It contains a stimulant called caffeine, the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. The caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream, traveling until your brain, where it blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine, thus increasing the number of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, and finally boosting a release of neurons. Several studies have confirmed this mechanism, including the researches conducted by the University of Nancy (France) in 1992, by the University of Cardiff (UK) in 1993, and by the University of Surrey (England) in 2000.
Coffee protects against Alzheimer’s and lowers the risk of Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia. It has no cure, but certain attitudes can help prevent the disease, such as eating healthy and exercising. Drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well. Various studies have shown that caffeine, present in coffee and many other beverages, may help protect against Parkinson’s disease. Several studies show that coffee consumers have an up to 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, as demonstrated by the University of Lisbon (Portugal) survey in 2002. Furthermore, coffee also reduces the risk of developing Parkinson’s, the second most common neurodegenerative condition. The findings of a 2017 meta-analysis conducted by the University of Southampton (UK) suggested a link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Coffee protects the liver
Your liver is a fantastic organ that conducts essential functions – and coffee can help protect it. A University of Southampton (UK) meta-analysis concluded that consuming any type of coffee appeared to reduce the risk of liver cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. Also, a Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (US) study showed that people who drink 4 or more cups per day have up to an 80% lower risk of developing cirrhosis.
Coffee stimulates brain function
Caffeine (the active substance in coffee) acts in the brain by blocking the effects of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine, which stimulates the neurons. Thus, it boosts brain function. Many controlled studies in humans show that coffee improves brain function—including memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times, and general mental function. Among these studies are the researches conducted by the University of Nancy (France) in 1992, by the University of Cardiff (UK) in 1993, and by the University of Surrey (England) in 2000.
by Chris Bueno
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