The benefits of coffee have been the topic of a lot of news reports lately. It’s not just black water with caffeine. A growing body of research has shown coffee has many incredible health benefits beyond the morning caffeine pick me up.

Is coffee good for you? Yes! Studies have shown that that drinking coffee every day can help lower your risk of many serious health conditions and even help you feel better.

In this article we will discuss the health benefits of coffee, cover how much coffee you should drink per day,  and then I even provided some coffee drink recipes that can help you discover new ways of enjoying your daily coffee in a healthy way. So let’s get into it and see how coffee can positively affect your body and mind!

Health Benefits of Coffee

To purchase Old Fashioned Mom Coffee Click: Here

Here are some amazing reasons why you should drink more coffee:

1. Coffee Raises Your Metabolism and Helps You Perform Better Physically

Studies have shown that drinking coffee can actually raise your metabolism and help you burn fat at a faster rate, thus positively affecting your weight loss. Caffeine does this by stimulating your nervous system, causing it to send signals to your fat cells to break down body fat.

It also has been shown to improve athletic performance and endurance during exercise.

Just these two reasons alone are awesome enough to drink more coffee, especially before heading to the gym!

2. Coffee Is a Great Sources of Antioxidants and Essential Nutrients

Believe it or not, coffee has a lot of nutritional value. It contains a number of essential nutrients, including riboflavin (11% of the RDA), pantothenic acid (6% of the RDA), manganese (3% of the RDA), potassium (3% of the RDA), magnesium (2% of the RDA) and niacin (2% of the RDA)

It’s also a HUGE source of antioxidants, and one of the top sources of antioxidants in the American diet. Antioxidants are substances that prevent or delay cell damage, and they can control how fast you age by fighting free radicals.

Translation…. Coffee makes you pretty and healthy!

So the next time you look at your coffee, remember it’s not just black water, it’s a tasty source of antioxidants and nutrients.

3. Coffee Can Help Prevent Diabetes

Diabetes, an enormous health problem everywhere with over 400 million sufferers, affects about 8% of adults over the age of 18 affected worldwide.

Studies show that people who drink coffee have a significantly lower risk of developing Type II diabetes. In one study, participants with a total daily consumption of at least three cups of coffee reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by approximately 42%.

If you’re concerned about diabetes, you may want to start including coffee in your diet on a regular basis to improve your chances of preventing it. But make sure to limit the sugar you add and see below for my tips on healthy(er) sweeteners below.

4. Coffee Can Make You Smarter

Coffee contains a chemical called caffeine… yes, I know you know that, but did you know that caffeine is central nervous system stimulant?! When you drink coffee, the caffeine travels to the brain where it is responsible for enhancing the firing of the neurons and increasing energy metabolism throughout your brain.

The next time you need to study or take a test, try drinking a cup of coffee beforehand for a little extra mental edge.

5. May Help Prevent Liver Disease

If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, listen up!

Studies have shown that there is an ingredient in coffee that protects against a liver disease called cirrhosis. If you have never heard of cirrhosis before, it a condition where your liver tissue is damaged and replaced with scar tissue. It can develop several ways like from infections, obesity, and other conditions, but especially from drinking too much alcohol. Drinking coffee on a regular basis has been shown to be a natural detox to help protect against the onset of cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis.

So while I don’t advocate drinking too much alcohol, I can recommend drinking coffee regularly if you do as a cleansing body detox and to help give your liver a little extra protection.

6. Coffee May Help Protect Against Heart Disease and Stroke

There have been studies that show that moderate coffee drinking lowered the risk of coronary heart disease in women.

Research has also shown that higher coffee consumption reduced the risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Obviously, drinking coffee isn’t going to completely eliminate your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke (you need good diet, lifestyle habits, and good genes as well). But if just adding coffee to your diet helps lower your risks, why not try it?

7. Caffeine May Lower Skin Cancer Risk

A study by the National Institute of Health found that higher coffee intake was associated with a modest decrease in risk of a certain type of skin cancer called melanoma.

If you’re concerned about your risk of skin cancer, try adding a few cups of coffee to your diet to help lower your risks. And don’t forget your SPF while you’re at it!

8. Caffeine Can Help Protect You From Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a type of disease that causes problems with your memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to eventually interfere with daily tasks. If you’ve ever know somebody with AD or dementia, you know how devastating this condition can be, not just on the sufferer but to those around them as well.

Research has found that drinking 3-5 cups per day while in your middle aged years was associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia by about 65% in your later years.

Did you get that?? A 65% reduction in your chances of developing dementia by drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day! That is one of the most compelling arguments in favor of drinking coffee every day that’s I’ve even heard, especially if you’re in your 40’s and 50’s.

9. Coffee May Help Reduce Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder that involves the malfunction and death of certain nerve cells in the brain (neurons). It’s a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms get worse over time. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure.

Worldwide, nearly 7 million people are living with Parkinson’s disease.

Studies have shown that higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson’s Disease.

This benefit, along with the reduction in AD and dementia, make coffee an important part of your strategy to get older without losing your mental strength and clarity.

10. Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Being Depressed

Depression is a chronic and serious mood disorder that affects twice as many women as men. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you think, feel, and deal with day to day activities like sleeping, eating, or working. Approximately 20% of women will be affected by depression during their lifetime.

Studies have found that increased coffee consumption decreased the risk of depression.

It’s not entirely clear why this occurs, but it’s another great reason to drink coffee! So next time you’re “blue” treat yourself to a cup and if possible some nature and sunshine… which also helps reduce depression!

How Many Cups Of Coffee Should You Drink A Day?

Every one of these reasons tend to indicate that you should be drinking more than one cup of coffee a day for the best results.

According to research, it’s recommended that adults should consume 3-4 cups of coffee a day to realize the most health benefits.

Coffee Drink Recipes

If you’re looking for some new ways to enjoy coffee, try these delicious coffee drink recipes from my blog.

• Almond Milk Latte
• Blended Mocha Cappuccino

These two drinks tend to be on the sweeter side, so they may be best as a dessert treat and not a substitution for a plain old cup of black coffee in the morning. But feel free to experiment with new ideas and ingredients to expand your coffee drink options.

Just make sure you are not adding loads of sugar as that will just negate the benefits. If you are looking for diabetic friendly sweeteners for your “Morning Joe” try honey, real maple syrup or raw Stevia, and try to add as little as possible so you develop a taste for less sugar.

I recommend using organic coffee when you can for the most healthy benefits without the risk of chemicals or toxins. And whenever possible try not to use tap water, you want good clean water that is not filled with fluoride as it changes chemistry when heated.

Conclusion

After all this research, I’ve answered the question: Is coffee good for you? YES!

Drinking coffee every day is not just a treat, it’s actually healthy for you, too! With all the great reasons you can stop feeling guilty about indulging and celebrate the benefits of drinking coffee today!

So drink up and reap all the benefits of drinking coffee!

Written By: Lose Weight By Eating

To purchase Old Fashioned Mom Coffee Click: Here

Benefits

The potential health benefits associated with drinking Old Fashioned Mom Coffee include protecting against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, liver cancer, and promoting a healthy heart.

1) Coffee and diabetes

Coffee may help protect against type 2 diabetes. Researchers at UCLA identified that drinking coffee increases plasma levels of the protein sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG controls the biological activity of the body’s sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) which play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Dr. Simin Liu, one of the authors of the study, said that an “inverse association” exists between coffee consumption and risk for type 2 diabetes.

Increased coffee consumption may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes – the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers gathered data from three studies. In these studies, the diets of the participants were evaluated using questionnaires every 4 years, with participants who reported having type 2 diabetes filling out additional questionnaires. In total, 7,269 study participants had type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that the participants who increased their coffee intake by more than one cup a day (on average, an increase of 1.69 cups per day) over a 4-year period had an 11% lower type 2 diabetes risk over the subsequent 4 years, compared with people who did not change their intake.

Researchers in the U.S. carried out a study that assessed the link between coffee consumption and Parkinson’s disease risk. The authors of the study concluded that “higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease”. In addition, caffeine in coffee may help control movement in people suffering from Parkinson’s, according to a study conducted at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) that was published in the journal Neurology.

3) Coffee and liver cancer

Italian researchers found that coffee consumption lowers the risk of liver cancer by about 40%. In addition, some of the results suggest that if you drink three cups a day, the risks are reduced by more than 50%. The lead author of the study, Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, from Milan’s Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, said “our research confirms past claims that coffee is good for your health and particularly the liver.”

4) Coffee and liver disease

Regular consumption of coffee is linked to a reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare autoimmune disease of the bile ducts in the liver. In addition, coffee consumption can lower the incidence of cirrhosis of the liver for alcohol drinkers by 22%, according to a study at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, California, USA. The authors of the study concluded that the results “support the hypothesis that there is an ingredient in coffee that protects against cirrhosis, especially alcoholic cirrhosis.” Research published in the journal Hepatology in April 2014, suggested that drinking coffee is linked to a decreased liver cirrhosis death risk. The researchers suggested that drinking two or more cups of coffee every day can reduce the risk of death from liver cirrhosis by 66%. A study published in the journal Hepatology indicates that drinking decaf coffee also lowers liver enzyme levels, suggesting the benefits are not linked to caffeine content.

5) Coffee and heart health

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard School of Public Health, concluded that drinking coffee in moderation protects against heart failure. They defined ‘in moderation’ as 2 European cups (equivalent to two 8-ounce American servings) per day. People who drank four European cups on a daily basis had an 11% lower risk of heart failure, compared to those who did not. The authors stressed that their results “did show a possible benefit, but like with so many other things we consume, it really depends on how much coffee you drink.”

Other possible benefits

Studies have suggested that coffee may:

• help prevent premature death
• reduce mortality
• protect against cirrhosis
• reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis
• protect against colorectal cancer

Nutrition

Regular black coffee (without milk or cream) has a very low calorie count. A typical cup of black coffee only contains around 2 calories. However, if you add sugar and milk, the calorie count can shoot up.

Antioxidants

Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S., according to researchers at the University of Scranton. Joe Vinson, Ph.D., lead author of the study, said that “Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close.” The authors of the study emphasize moderation, stating that only one or two cups a day appear to be beneficial. Caffeinated and decaffeinated versions provided nearly the same levels of antioxidants. A study looking at long-term caffeine consumption found that regular caffeine consumption is not linked to extra heartbeats.

Click the link here to purchase Old Fashioned Mom Coffee

Written By: Joseph Nordqvist

Planning a trip to Italy? You can rent the villa from the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” with your friends and family.

Diane Lane played the character Frances Mayes in the 2003 hit “Under the Tuscan Sun,” inspiring a generation to pack up their bags and move to a villa in Italy.

Anyone up for a trip to Italy? If so, we’ve found the perfect place to stay with family or friends (or both!).

The beautiful villa from the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” is available to rent, and can accommodate up to 20 people — so bring all your loved ones along!

 “Under the Tuscan Sun” Italian villa.

Located in the Tuscan countryside near the town of Cortona, Italy, the 10 bed, 10 and 1/2 bath “Villa Laura” played the role of Diane Lane’s character’s “Villa Bramasole” in the 2003 film. (The movie is based on the book of the same name by the actual Frances Mayes.

The 17th century estate was recently given a makeover — much like it was in the movie — and is the epitome of an Italian vacation retreat.

Each bedroom on the property has beautiful views, antique furniture and its own en-suite bathroom.

But you’ll hardly want to stay inside your room all day with the estate’s many amenities, including a pool table, outdoor pizza oven, barbecue area, pool and jetted tub.

There’s a minimum of a seven night stay when you book, and the price varies depending on the time of year. Visit LuxuryRetreats.com to find out more about pricing and availability.

Written By: Julie Pennell

“The Good Place” actress, 37, and “Chips” actor, 43, began dating in 2007, and later wed in 2013. The two, who often publicly discuss the challenges of marriage (like the Great Chair War of 2017), are also candid about parenting truths and maintaining a sense of normalcy in a household managed by two stars.

“We really just get by,” Bell told E! “We feel, you know, a little vulnerable just as much as everyone else does.”

So, about getting their kids to swear off swearing: Does her tactic work?

“So far, they’ve obliged,” said Bell.

There you have it — and that’s pretty gosh-darn impressive!

Written By: Randee Dawn

Summer 2018 is upon us!!!! Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare for this years summer fun!

 

Get your hair healthy.

The healthier your hair is going in to summer, the less sun, chlorine and sea salt damage will affect it. Make a habit of deep conditioning your locks once a week, whether with a handful of coconut oil or a mask.

Start exfoliating now.

Get into the habit early and often. Scrubbing your whole body may seem tedious in the shower, but it genuinely makes a big difference not only in the overall health of your skin, but also in its ability to absorb moisturizing products. And not for nothing, but shaving your legs will be a whole lot more pleasant if you slough off those winter layers of dead skin first.

Clean out your medicine cabinet.

Seriously. Check expiration dates on your green products. Make sure everything smells like it’s supposed to. A winter living in your steamy, artificial-heat riddled bathroom may have compromised your skincare products. And if there’s anything you haven’t used since last summer that you were hoping to save for this summer…be wary.

Re-evaluate your skincare routine.

Summer skin is a different thing than winter skin. If you’ve been using heavy oils and creams all winter to fight dry skin, kudos to you. But you’ll want to consider something lighter come summer, and possibly with an upped SPF in anticipation of more hours spent outside.

Test out lighter makeup.

Summer is hot; you don’t want to walking around with a face full of the same makeup you wear when it’s cold. Not only will it likely run when you sweat, but it can also lead to clogged pores. Let your skin take advantage of the warmth and humidity that comes with summer and get comfortable with different products now so the switch will be seamless when temperatures rise. If you’re used to full-coverage foundation, consider a sheer CC cream. Instead of a dark matte lip, play around with a berry-hued tint.

Stock up on sunscreen.

Like I said earlier, the green products you relied on last summer are likely expired (or will be by the time you need them again this year). Before the rush to buy sunscreen starts, consider buying a new one for your body and another for your face. That way, when the first really nice day rolls around unexpectedly, you’ll be ready to head outside without fear of sunburn or expired SPF.

Switch up your deodorant.

If you’ve been waiting to make the change to all-natural deodorant, do it soon rather than later. Your body will need time to purge itself of any residual chemicals left over by your conventional stick, so your body’s natural odor may change (i.e. get stronger) for that transitional period. Plus, natural deodorants work better with time so if you get started now, your pits will be in great shape for the dog days of summer when the deodorant really gets to work.

Stop ignoring your feet.

When sandal weather finally graces us with its presence, don’t let the feet and toenails you ignored all winter long stop you from sporting an open-toe. Yes, they’ve been bundled in thick socks and snow boots for months now, but be proactive with your foot care. Use a sugar- or coffee-based scrub weekly to soften up those calluses. Slather on a heavy-duty moisturizing salveat night to smooth cracked heels. (Pro tip: Put socks on right after to make sure the moisturizer stays put and really soaks in.) Give your nails and cuticles some love with an oil designed especially for them. And for the love of all that is holy, take offwhatever chips of last summer’s nail polish are still lingering—it’s time for something new.

Detox.

Feeling a little sluggish after months of hibernating? While you wait for the bounty of in-season summer produce that awaits, consider detoxing a bit now with whatever fresh produce you can get your hands on. Whether it’s adding a scoop of greens to your morning smoothie, upping the healthy bacteria in your gut to fight winter bloat or experimenting with some vegan dishes, baby steps now will mean you have the energy to get out and actually be a person when the weather calls for it.

Written By: Allie White

Chris Pratt reprises his role as raptor trainer Owen Grady in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” — and the leading man’s fans know he’s a hero in real life, too. Before the much-anticipated sequel stomps into theaters, Pratt staged a very special surprise for some young viewers.

The guests of honor, 245 kids and chaperones from The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, showed up at New York City’s Empire Theatre for an early viewing of the summer blockbuster Thursday evening, hosted by TODAY and Universal Pictures. What they didn’t know was that the 38-year-old actor would make an appearance.

Chris Pratt is about to surprise an audience full of young fans.

Before the screening started, a handful of young actors were challenged to give their fiercest “scared by a dinosaur” impressions. To the kids’ delight, the final “contestant” was none other than Pratt himself! Pratt stepped onstage and offered the kids some words of advice: “If you stick to who you are, one day you can grow up and life can get really, really good for you. So just stay true to yourself.” “I feel so incredibly lucky in my life,” Pratt told TODAY after the surprise, explaining why spending time with young fans is important to him.

Kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America got a special surprise when Chris Pratt himself appeared.

“I feel as though I’ve been given an opportunity and a platform,” he continued. “I’m a person of faith; I believe there’s a reason I’ve been given this opportunity. I think that the only way for me to pay off the debt that I would incur by getting such an amazing life is to just reach out to kids and to be there for them and accept this responsibility as a mentor and someone who’ll usher in a new generation of kids who’ll be kindhearted and open-minded, thoughtful, caring and proud of who they are.”

The kids in attendance were from four New York-area clubhouses of The Boys and Girls Club of America: Educational Alliance, Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club and Harlem Boys & Girls Club. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which is more than 150 years old and serves nearly 4 million young people nationwide through more than 4,300 chapters, aims to give kids a safe place with mentors and enriching programs. Pratt has a connection to the group: The actor raised money to fund a teen rec center for the local Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Lake Stevens, Washington — a new facility that opened last fall.

Chris Pratt told TODAY that the “Jurassic” movies have such a devoted young fan base because they “merge science and imagination.”

In fact, Pratt spent a lot of time at his local Boys and Girls Club as a kid. “I think it’s important because it’s a safe place for youth to hang out, spend time with one another,” he said. “It’s hard raising kids and it’s hard to be present all the time. It really takes a village. So I think the Boys and Girls Clubs act as that village sometimes and can watch our kids when parents are off at work. It’s just an extra set of eyes and ears you can trust for your kids to be around.” “Jurassic World” hits theaters on June 22. Universal Pictures is owned by NBC News’ parent company, NBCUniversal.

Written By: Erin Clements