Coffee-drinking dates back to the 15th century. Drinking coffee in America didn’t catch on until after the 1773 Boston Tea Party. During the 19th century, coffee became the morning drink Americans needed to wake up. But coffee does more than get people going in the morning. It also helps the cells in the liver, lungs, brain, and kidneys fight the free radicals that cause a number of health issues, such as:

1. Protects the Liver
Our liver performs more than 500 vital body functions. The liver is the largest internal organ, so it’s important to keep the liver healthy. But that’s not easy in this age of recurring viruses and bacteria. Coffee can protect our liver from the diseases that invade it, and that includes protection against cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol consumption. Coffee also helps reduce hepatitis C virus replication in the liver, according to several coffee studies.

2. Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is the disease that affects the body’s ability to process glucose. Excess glucose in our blood can create health issues like type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Harvard University who study coffee consumption over the last twenty years found proof increasing coffee consumption by one cup a day lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 17%.

3. Reduces the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
More than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. And countless others try things the experts say reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s will completely erase memories over the course of several years. According to Alzheimer’s studies, exercise, eating healthy foods, and drinking coffee can help reduce the risk of that debilitating mental disease.

4. Protects Against Parkinson’s Disease
Sixty thousand people get Parkinson’s disease every year. In a recent Parkinson’s disease study, the combination of caffeine and EHT (Eicosanoyl-5-Hydroxytryptamide) slows down the progression of Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s disease study also found people who have Parkinson’s have lower tremor scores than people with Parkinson’s who don’t drink coffee.

5. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
According to another coffee study, two cups of coffee a day cuts the risk of heart disease and stroke by 20%. More than 790,000 people experience a stroke each year. Drinking four cups of coffee per day is one way to avoid experiencing a stroke, according to researchers who conducted a meta-analysis of coffee drinking.

6. Helps Improve Lung Function
Coffee has a positive effect on the lungs. Caffeine helps people who suffer from asthma. Caffeine reduces respiratory muscle fatigue, and it is also a weak bronchodilator. Another study confirmed coffee does improve lung function for at least four hours. And another coffee study claims java also reduces respiratory mortality.

Another benefit of coffee drinking is an increase in our energy level. Caffeine is a natural stimulant. Once coffee hits the bloodstream, it goes to the brain. Caffeine stops the neurotransmitter activity in the brain that makes us feel tired. Coffee activates our noradrenaline neurons, and that increases the level of dopamine in our blood. The result is feeling fresh in the morning after drinking a cup of your favorite type of coffee.