Do you need a cup of coffee to get going in the morning? Some days we need a couple of cups before the day can really get going.

Sure, we know coffee as our favorite caffeine delivery system, but did you know that it could really have a positive impact on our health?

Studies have shown that it has some unexpected health benefits that will make you want to brew yourself another and get on with your day.

1. Boost your metabolism.

Caffeine can actually help boost your metabolic rate by up to 11%, which means your body will process foods much faster the more coffee you consume.

Often that is the reason coffee is offered after a meal.

2. Decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A study involving over a million individuals showed that a significant coffee consumption (3-5 cups a day) could decrease the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular problems.

A Korean study showed that people were less likely to develop calcium deposits in their arteries, which could lead to clogging.

3. Gives you more energy.

This is the reason most of us can't start our morning without a cup of coffee. Caffeine releases adenosine in the brain which allows more neurons to be sent out at once. This leads to better focus, memory, and cognitive function, that we we experience after our morning drink.

4. It may decrease your risk of diabetes.

Coffee has been found to exponentially decrease the likelihood of getting type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that every additional cup of coffee could lead to an extra 7% decrease in the likelihood of diabetes, for a near 50% reduction in risk for heavy coffee drinkers. This doesn't necessarily apply to those who drink it double-double, so try cutting back on your sugar and increase your coffee intake.

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I remember my mom drinking several cups of coffee a day to be able to keep up with us. I bet she would be happy to know all the health benefits that all that coffee drinking did for her.

Now that I am drinking my cup of Joe to keep up with my little one, I can feel less guilty about my caffeine addiction thanks to these great health benefits!

The results of some of these studies is amazing!

5. It may protect against Alzheimer's.

According to Coffee & Health, several studies have shown that heavy coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's, a common cause of dementia. It revealed that the higher coffee intake may lead to less chances of getting Alzheimer's disease, according to these studies.

6. It could protect you against Parkinson's disease.

While increased coffee consumption can lead to a smaller risk of developing Parkinson's disease, studies have found that it was only accurate with men and menopausal women. This is due to the fact that caffeine and estrogen requires the same enzymes, and estrogen tends to take these enzymes away from caffeine preventing it from having a strong effect.

7. It may decrease depression in women.

According to a Harvard School of Public Health study, a significant caffeine intake (more than 4 cups per day), could reduce the risk of depression in women by 20%. Studies have been done on men, but the results weren't as conclusive.

8. It may decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.

At least 2 cups a day of coffee can decrease your odds of getting liver cancer by over 40%. Studies have also indicated that it could lower your odds of getting prostate and breast cancer in non-smokers. Smoking may actually reverse the effects of coffee on potential cancers.

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Being able to reverse negative health effects by drinking coffee sounds like the perfect prescription to me!

Whether you like a dark roast or prefer a much lighter roast, there are so many variety of coffee to choose from that you keep your days interesting with a new blend.

Trying to drink black coffee will give you the best health benefits because you won't get the additional fat from the cream and sugar a lot of people add.

9. Coffee may help prevent alcohol consumption-related cirrhosis.

A study published last January finds that increased coffee consumption could help reduce the risk of cirrhosis, a form of liver damage often caused by alcohol. One cup a day means a 22% less chance of developing the disease, and 4 cups can make the likelihood of cirrhosis decline by up to 65%.

10. Coffee contains antioxidants.

When you think of antioxidants in your food, you naturally shift your focus to fruits and vegetables. Surprising, a study has shown that coffee is by far the strongest source of antioxidants in the United States diet.

11. There are essential nutrients in coffee.

Coffee is more than just warm black water of varying bitterness. The coffee bean contains essential nutrients that can really add up in your daily diet.

A single cup of coffee contains:

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.
• Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.
• Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

It may not seem a lot, but if you drink more than a couple cups a day, it can really add up!

12. Coffee may help you live longer.

Since coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could actually help you live longer.

Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death. Coffee drinkers were shown to have a 20% lower risk of death in men and 26% lower risk of death in women over a period of 18-24 years.

Are you surprised by any of these benefits? Share with a friend and then enjoy a guilt-free cup of coffee.

Source: RemedyDaily / Authority Nutrition