Study Reveals Why Drinking Coffee Could Be Good For Your Gut

Coffee drinkers might now have yet another reason to love their favorite lattes. According to a study retrieved from the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, scientists found that a healthy amount of caffeine in one's diet leads to a decreased risk of dementia and better cognitive health, particularly among women. A separate study published in Nutrition Review revealed that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee may even have a hand in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

If these reasons don't get you more excited to wake up and start brewing a pot of coffee, another study might just push your java appreciation over the edge. Eat This, Not That! details a study showing that people who drank two cups of coffee or more each day had a healthier stomach environment than those who drank less coffee. The research, published in Nutrients, notes that experts do need to study the phenomenon more, but it looks like anyone who wants to indulge in a few extra cups of coffee each day can look forward to some positive effects. Having healthy gut flora may not seem like a big deal, but a healthy stomach can stave off some major problems for a few particular reasons.

Eat This, Not That! reports that coffee actually is good for you, offering a positive effect thanks to, among other reasons, its polyphenol content. Per Healthline, this compound is a type of plant product that experts believe may protect against cancer, diabetes, and heart disease while improving digestion and neurological well-being. Polyphenol has properties similar to antioxidants as they help fight free radicals and decrease inflammation. They are found in certain foods including some spices, wine, tea, and dark chocolate.

Many of the foods that naturally contain polyphenols also contain prebiotics, further bolstering your gut health. Keeping your stomach healthy can prevent a wide variety of issues. UC Davis Health reports that due to how interconnected our digestive system is, maintaining and encouraging healthy digestion prevents problems in other parts of the body, in addition to warding off neurological illness. If you love coffee and need to improve your stomach health, you can't go wrong indulging in your favorite morning drink. While scientists suggest studying this link further, the current research looks promising, so don't feel too bad about grabbing an extra cup of coffee to go.