Cups Full, Health Benefits Of Our Coffee Bags
Brain
Fitness and weight
Heart & circulation
Mood
Chronic diseases
Decaf
1) Brain health
Do you know how coffee affects your brain? Here are some benefits you might not know:
Caffeine blocks adenosine (the drowsy chemical)
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that builds up throughout the day and makes you feel drowsy. By stepping in and occupying adenosine receptors, caffeine reduces feelings of tiredness and keeps your brain alert. This is why coffee feels like magic during those 3 PM slumps.
Dopamine boost
Caffeine triggers a surge in dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters involved in attention, motivation, and mood. That explains the improved focus and occasional mood lift after a good brew. This mechanism is similar (though much milder) to the way some ADHD medications work—by increasing dopamine availability in the brain.
Neuroprotective effects
Regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This is because there are antioxidants in coffee (like chlorogenic acid) that help reduce oxidative stress, which can damage brain cells over time. Caffeine may reduce amyloid-beta accumulation, a protein involved in Alzheimer’s pathology. Some studies also suggest coffee supports autophagy, the brain’s “cleanup process” for damaged cells.
Improved reaction time, memory & learning (in the short term)
Moderate caffeine intake has been shown to enhance short-term memory, reaction time, and cognitive processing speed. Caffeine can cause jitters too - so all in moderation!
2) Fitness and weight
In moderation, coffee can:
✅ Improve workout performance
✅ Support and increase fat metabolism
✅ Help with regulation of appetite
✅ Keep you focused and consistent
Caffeine, the natural performance enhancer
Caffeine is one of the most studied and effective ergogenic aids in the world.
Boosts endurance by increasing adrenaline and helping muscles use fat as fuel
Enhances explosive power and strength during resistance training
Delays fatigue and improves time to exhaustion in cardio workouts
According to the International Society of Sports Nutrition, caffeine improves performance by 2–16% depending on the activity. That’s a noticeable edge.
Increases metabolism
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and increases thermogenesis — your body’s rate of burning calories. Just 100 mg of caffeine (two “Peace” coffees or half a “Pace”) can increase resting metabolic rate by 3–11% for a few hours. More fat is mobilized for energy during activity, especially low to moderate intensity exercise like walking or zone 2 cardio.
Over time, your body may adapt to caffeine, reducing this thermogenic effect. So don’t rely on it as a fat-burning miracle — think of it as a helper, not the main player.
Appetite regulation
Some studies suggest that caffeine can reduce appetite short-term by influencing hunger hormones like ghrelin. This varies person to person though, so listen to your body.
To note:
Too much caffeine can lead to anxiety, disrupted sleep (which sabotages fat loss), or adrenal fatigue.
Avoid late-day coffee — sleep is critical for recovery, hormones, and weight regulation.
Always hydrate! ☕ is a mild diuretic, and dehydration can reduce performance.
3) Heart and circulation
Some facts you might not know about the benefits of coffee on the heart and circulatory system.
Coffee can:
✅ Support healthy circulation
✅ Improve blood vessel function
✅ Reduce risk of heart disease (when consumed moderately)
✅ Offer antioxidant protection
Caffeine & blood pressure
Caffeine temporarily raises blood pressure, especially in people who are sensitive or not habitual coffee drinkers. For regular drinkers, this effect tends to diminish over time due to tolerance. A 2022 meta-analysis found no strong evidence that moderate coffee consumption increases long-term hypertension risk in healthy individuals. Be careful but this isn’t necessarily a risk!
Circulation superpowers
Coffee can actually enhance blood flow and vascular function, particularly in moderate doses. Research shows that that it can:
Improve endothelial function (how well your blood vessels expand and contract)
Increase nitric oxide production, promoting vasodilation (wider blood vessels = better flow)
Support oxygen delivery to muscles during exercise or stress
This means better circulation, improved athletic performance, and potentially even benefits for sexual health (yes, really 👀).
Heart disease & longevity
Multiple large-scale studies, including UK Biobank data (500k+ participants), found that:
People who drink 2–3 cups of coffee daily have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality
Both regular and decaf coffee showed protective effects, suggesting antioxidants, not just caffeine, play a key role
Antioxidants like chlorogenic acid fight inflammation and oxidative stress—two major culprits in heart disease.
Arrhythmia: myth busted
Concerned about coffee and irregular heartbeats? Studies now show that moderate coffee intake is not associated with increased risk of arrhythmias (like AFib) in most people. In fact, some research suggests it may lower the risk.
Still, if you do have a diagnosed arrhythmia, it’s smart to talk to your doctor about your personal caffeine tolerance.
4) Mood
Studies show moderate caffeine intake is associated with:
✅ Better mood
✅ Improved focus
✅ Reduced fatigue
✅ Increased sense of well-being
We’re all hearing about dopamine detoxes and staying away from our phones, here’s a way to generate dopamine when you’re ticking off tasks and celebrating little wins.
Caffeine increases the availability of dopamine — the neurotransmitter linked to motivation, pleasure, and focus. Caffeine doesn’t create dopamine, but it makes your brain more sensitive to it. That’s why you feel more alert, upbeat, and ready to tackle the day after a cup.
Lower risk of depression
A large-scale Harvard study (50,000+ women) found that those who drank 2–4 cups of coffee a day had a 20% lower risk of developing depression.
Coffee contains polyphenols and antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation — a known factor in depression.
Caffeine may counteract some symptoms of low serotonin and dopamine, especially in people prone to mood disorders.
Decaf coffee also showed some benefits in certain studies, meaning it’s not just the caffeine — the whole bean brings value.
Stress & anxiety: a balancing act
Let’s be honest: coffee is a double-edged sword when it comes to stress.
☕ Small to moderate doses: Improved mood, focus, and calm alertness
☕ Too much caffeine: Jitters, restlessness, and increased anxiety
Especially if you’re prone to generalized anxiety or panic, high doses of caffeine can spike cortisol and leave you feeling worse, not better. Tune in to how you feel 30–60 minutes after drinking. If your heart races or your thoughts spiral, you may benefit from switching to lower doses or half-caf.
Rituals and going slow
Don’t underestimate the psychological power of the coffee ritual, whether that’s a mindful moment in the morning, a reason to pause and connect when you’re not faffing with french presses or a grounding habit that signals “me-time”. Coffee isn’t just chemical, it’s cultural, and that alone can positively influence your emotional state.
5) Chronic diseases
Here are some really interesting facts about coffee and its link to improving chronic diseases. Our coffee bags filter out diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) which increase LDL cholesterol levels. They’re like filter coffee benefits - but french-press taste!
Type 2 diabetes
Multiple large-scale studies have shown that regular coffee drinkers have a significantly lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. According to a Harvard School of Public Health meta-analysis people who drank 3–5 cups/day had a 30–40% reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes which applies to both caffeinated and decaf coffee!
Why?
Coffee contains compounds like chlorogenic acid, lignans, and magnesium, which:
✅ Improve insulin sensitivity
✅ Slow glucose absorption
✅ Reduce inflammation, a key factor in metabolic disease
It also supports liver health—more on that below.
Coffee & Liver Protection
Your liver loves coffee—really.
Studies show that regular coffee consumption may lower the risk of:
✅ Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
✅ Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis
✅ Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
Caffeine and antioxidants in coffee support liver enzyme regulation and reduce liver inflammation and fat accumulation.
Heart Disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s & More
Coffee appears to offer protective benefits for several other conditions:
🧠 Neurodegenerative diseases: lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in regular drinkers
🫀 Cardiovascular disease: moderate coffee intake (1–3 cups/day) linked to lower heart disease and stroke risk
🦴 Some cancer types: inverse associations found with endometrial and colorectal cancers
6) Decaf
Decaf coffee is far from useless, and it might just be your secret weapon for health, sleep, and longevity. Our “Peace” brand of decaf coffee isn’t caffeine-free, it's low-caffeine and blended with some of our regular blend.
For those curious - decaf is made by removing at least 97% of the caffeine using methods like:
Swiss Water Process (no chemicals ✅)
CO₂ extraction
Solvent-based methods (safe, but less natural)
So, does decaf still have health benefits? YES.
Decaf coffee is still rich in:
Antioxidants (like chlorogenic acids)
Polyphenols (anti-inflammatory powerhouses)
Magnesium & potassium (support blood pressure and metabolism)
Studies show decaf is associated with:
✅ Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes
✅ Liver protection
✅ Lowered inflammation
✅ Improved heart health (especially in caffeine-sensitive individuals)
Great for the pregnant or sensitive
If regular coffee gives you:
Anxiety 😬
Jitters 🌀
Sleep issues 💤
Heart palpitations 💓
Ready to stock up on Cups Full health benefits? Head to the shop!
References:
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Santos, C. et al. (2010). Caffeine intake and dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad091387
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Ding, M. et al. (2014). Long-term coffee consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and a dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Circulation. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.005925
Lucas, M. et al. (2011). Coffee, caffeine, and risk of depression among women. Archives of Internal Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1105943
Smith, A. (2002). Effects of caffeine on human behavior. Food and Chemical Toxicology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11185016_Effects_of_caffeine_on_human_behavior
Nawrot, P. et al. (2003). Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Additives & Contaminants. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0265203021000007840
Bhupathiraju, S. N. et al. (2014). Changes in coffee intake and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes: three large cohorts of US men and women. Diabetologia. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4115458/
van Dam, R. M., & Hu, F. B. (2005). Coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/201177
Carlström, M., & Larsson, S. C. (2018). Coffee consumption and reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29590460/
Gökcen, B. B., & Şanlier, N. (2019). Coffee consumption and disease correlations. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28853910/
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