The debate about coffee’s brain health benefits have been underway for decades. But, new research may end the argument for good. And, coffee lovers will have yet another reason to celebrate over their cup of joe. The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that coffee may help prevent brain disease.
According to the scientists, there are 2 compounds in coffee that work together to reduce the substances in the brain that are linked to Parkinson’s disease (known as alpha-synuclein). You’ve already heard of one of the compounds—caffeine. But, chances are you’ve never heard of the other one: eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide (EHT). And, don’t worry if you can’t remember its name. You don’t need to recall its complex scientific name to start benefiting from its brain health properties.
In the past, caffeine has gotten most of the credit for java’s brain health benefits, but people who drank decaffeinated coffee often had similar benefits as those who opted for coffee with caffeine. While coffee has hundreds of phytochemicals, which are literally plant-based compounds that offer health benefits, the new study shows that EHT may be one of the main ones involved in the beverage’s brain benefits.
EHT is found in the naturally-occurring waxy coating on coffee beans. It is a fatty acid derivative of the brain messenger chemical known as serotonin. Earlier researchpublished in the journal Neurotherapeutics found that it protects brain cells and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. The condition develops gradually and usually starts with barely noticeable tremors in one hand. Tremors are the most known sign of the disease, but the condition also causes stiffness or slowing of movement, lack of expression and slurred speed. While there is no known cure for the disease, diet and lifestyle may help slow the condition and improve quality of life for sufferers.
And your daily brew might not just help protect your brain, other research supports its anti-cancer benefits, too. According to a study published in the medical journal Scientific Reports, your daily cup of joe may significantly reduce your cancer risk. The scientists discovered that people who drank coffee on a daily basis had a reduced risk of seven different types of cancer, including: oral, pharynx, liver, colon, melanoma, prostate and endometrial cancers. And, coffee even reduced the risk of liver cancer by a whopping 50 percent.
To truly benefit from coffee’s brain health effects you’ll need to make sure you choose organic beans or blends since many of the pesticides sprayed on coffee have neurotoxic effects (they are poisonous to brain cells). You’ll also want to stay clear of the artificial sweeteners since they have been linked to a whole host of health problems. And, forget loading up on sugar, trans-fat-loaded creamers and flavored syrups as they simply negate many of coffee’s benefits.
