For most of us, hardly a day starts out without at least one cup of hot coffee, no matter if it’s 30 degrees or 90 degrees outside. But doesn’t it make more sense in summer to wake up to a glass of delicious iced coffee instead? Just like the hot version, drinking iced coffee in moderation is actually good for you.
Boost your Brain Power: Studies suggest that 1-5 servings of coffee per day may help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This is due to the antioxidants contained in iced coffee (or hot coffee) that protect against brain cell damage. The antioxidants in caffeine also help to improve cognitive function.- Relief from Headaches: Research has shown that 200 mg of caffeine can provide relief from headaches, including migraines. How this happens is not really known, but scientists have proved that caffeine enhances brain cell activity, which leads to the constriction of blood vessels. They believe it’s this constriction that relieves the pain associated with headaches.
- Heart Health: According to an article on voices.yahoo.com, if you drink 1 to 3 servings of hot or iced coffee a day, you are considered to be a moderate coffee drinker. You are at less risk of stroke than a person who drinks no coffee whatsoever. Hot or iced coffee contains more antioxidants than blueberries per serving, making it the biggest source of antioxidants in a typical American diet. Immediately after drinking coffee, your heart rate and blood pressure increase – however, after this initial reaction, the antioxidants activate nitric oxide, which enlarges the blood vessels, thereby actually lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
Boost your Brain Power: Studies suggest that 1-5 servings of coffee per day may help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This is due to the antioxidants contained in iced coffee (or hot coffee) that protect against brain cell damage. The antioxidants in caffeine also help to improve cognitive function.