Everyone said that coffee would stunt your growth, but you turned out a diehard caffeine addict anyway. You can’t function without your morning latte, you owe all your finals grades to Redbull, and you have a love-hate relationship with Starbucks. But hey, science has got your back, because it turns out that your crippling dependency is actually good for you:
1. You’re smarter.
No kidding, caffeine is the only reason you ever made it to class.
But caffeine doesn’t just keep you awake, studies show that it vastly increases your brain function, reasoning, reaction time—you’re just more on top of the whole learning thing after that iced mocha venti.
2. You’re a better athlete.
Redbull might not give you wings, but the jitters will jolt athletic performance. And it’s killer for endurance: caffeine helps you burn fat so you can save those precious carbs for later in your workout.
Better yet, it’s a totally legal choice of performance-enhancing drug.
3. You’re happier.
You know how you’re a complete grouch until you’ve had your morning coffee? Yeah, that’s because coffee ups your mood, and even decreases your chance of depression.
No one’s quite sure what it is about cappuccinos that keeps you from getting blue, but there’s probably a good reason people in Scandinavia drink so much coffee. Because it gets crazy cold there, and you are so not about that seasonal slump.
4. Your liver loves you.
Hardcore partiers, this one’s for you. Shots are unkind to your poor liver, but caffeine helps prevent some of the damage.
Studies show that coffee lowers risk of liver disease by up to 80%—not too bad if you’re trying to undo a night of debauchery. So bring on the Irish coffee. Thanks, science!
5. History is on your side.
Way back when, beer was the breakfast drink of choice. Basically, everyone was slightly buzzed all the time, always, all the way through history.
But the introduction of coffee and caffeinated tea gave 17th century Europe such a caffeine rush that it brought about the Age of Enlightenment. So really, science should be thanking caffeine, because modern science wouldn’t be a thing without it.
6. You’re slimmer.
A heavy duty Frappuccino may not help you lose that last five pounds, but steady consumption of caffeine will kickstart your metabolism.
That extra fat-burning power helps you out even if you’re not running marathons every day. So after a while you’ll totally earn that new cotton candy flavored frap.
7. Your memory is killer.
Caffeine keeps your brain in such good shape that coffee lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s. Stick with your caffeine addiction now, and in a couple decades you’ll still be all sharp and jumpy.
8. Your hair is on point.
You already knew that your hair was fly, but caffeine gets your hair growing faster and stronger. So next time you’re going crazy waiting for your bangs to grow up, hit up the espresso and Mountain Dew.
9. You’ll be forever young.
Well, not forever. But blueberries can step aside, because coffee beats out fruits and vegetables as a source of antioxidants. Yup, caffeine might as well be fruit. And coffee won’t just keep you looking young, it’ll boost your immune system, protect your skin, and basically just make you all around better.
