Jordan Bray has about three cups of coffee every day — one or two cups in the mornings and one in the afternoon. She said she drinks it because she enjoys the taste, and finds it keeps her energized.
“I know it’s a lot of coffee, but it keeps me going,†Bray said.
Whether students regularly drink two cups or twelve, coffee is known to have the power to decrease tiredness and increase energy levels. Now, according to a 2017 study by the University of Southern California, coffee might also be known to increase drinkers’ lives.
The study concluded that of 180,000 participants, those that consumed one cup of coffee per day decreased their chances of death from cancers and chronic diseases by 12 percent. Those who drank two to four cups of coffee a day, like Bray, had an 18 percent lower risk of death and had decreased chances of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease and likelihood of having a stroke.
Paul Toscano, chief marketing officer of Joyride Coffee in California, said the results of USC’s study are encouraging to hear.
“It’s certainly the icing on the cake,†Toscano said. “You have a drink with all of these productivity and cognitive benefits, but the indication that coffee helps people live longer — that’s certainly great news.â€
Although he is pleased with the findings of USC’s study, Toscano said he has doubts there will ever be a complete scientific consensus.
“Coffee affects everyone’s body differently,†Toscano said. “I’d encourage the scientific community to continue researching the topic.â€
Shots are poured at Avenue Coffee. A new study shows that consuming a cup of coffee per day may decrease chances of death from cancers and chronic diseases by 12 percent.
Still, Toscano said people should be given as much knowledge about coffee as possible, including its benefits over other caffeinated beverages.
“Drinking black coffee will lead to a far healthier life than getting your caffeine through soda, energy drinks or flavored coffees,†Toscano said.
In addition to the importance of its health benefits, Toscano said it’s important to have “great coffee.â€
“I believe people should drink more great coffee,†Toscano said. “The more that people realize really great coffee is out there and available, the more people will expect from their cup every day.â€
With its productivity and cognition benefits, Toscano said coffee is good for both the mind and the body.
“From the sensory experience of grinding it to eventually tasting a well-brewed cup, it’s really a special beverage,†Toscano said.
Becca Scaggs, co-owner of Avenue Coffee on Echles near the University of Memphis, said most studies she has read about coffee are actually about problems it can have on the body.
“Caffeine is definitely a stimulant,†Scaggs said. “It can wreak havoc on your toxic cleansing organs and everything.â€
Still, Scaggs said the drink does have its benefits.
“Caffeine makes you feel better,†Scaggs said.
Asia Hubbard, a 20-year-old biology junior, said she is a fan of coffee and finds its effects to be beneficial.
“I don’t drink a lot of coffee,†Hubbard said. “But when I do, it definitely helps boost my energy.â€
