If you’re one of the people who loves a good Coffee, then you have good reason to celebrate. Studies are consistently proving that a cup o’Joe, the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance, is actually very beneficial for our health and well-being when drunk in moderation. There’s nothing new about people gathering to drink and chat over a coffee: from the days of Middle Eastern coffee houses to new indie coffee connoisseurs re-creating our coffee culture, here are some great reasons why we should rejoice in the java.

It can make us happier.

Research has proven that consuming coffee actually makes us happier people. According to the American Academy of Neurology, consuming coffee frequently can lower the risk of developing depression and subsequently lower the chances of suicide. It’s already widely accepted that caffeine boosts dopamine transmission in the brain and causes our bodies to release adrenaline. This hormone of adrenaline is part of our response to stress and gives us a temporary boost of energy and alertness which helps us focus and be motivated so is just one great reason why we should drink black coffee everyday.

Coffee can improve our health.

Each cup of coffee contains a high amount of healthy antioxidants which are thought to help fight cancer, heart disease and strokes; some even go as far to say that coffee provides a better source of antioxidants than fruit and vegetables! It’s also known to be beneficial for helping to lose weight, reducing the risks of diabetes and minimizing headaches. That’s not to say that we should be drinking more than 4-6 cups a day, but if it goes a long way to helping improve our health, then drinking it in moderation is a definite plus for our health.

Impacts on our culture.

From traditional Turkish coffee rituals to a simple Italian espresso, the surge of modern day coffee shops has certainly impacted on our culture and the way we see, and smell, our daily intake of coffee. Whether we make it in our homes using coffee makers with hi-tech engineering, or pop into our local coffee shop, there is so much choice of beans and flavors to enhance our coffee intake that is often based on a sustainable and fair trade ethos. As a consequence, our knowledge and expertise on the humble coffee bean is growing rapidly.

If these aren’t good enough reasons to wake up and smell the coffee, then just keep thinking of the great effects on your brain and body that your next cup can have on you.