There have been plenty of studies showing how coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases. Not only is it loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, it can also drastically improve your health. Here are the top reasons to go refill that coffee cup:

Improves Energy Levels, Makes You Smarter

Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function. When caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream, it travels into the brain where it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. This increases the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, further boosting brain activity.

Helps You Burn Fat

Caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning. Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11%, while other studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people. However, it is possible that these effects will diminish in long-term coffee drinkers.

Improve Physical Performance

The next time you're heading to the gym, try having a strong cup of coffee a half an hour before. Caffeine helps stimulate the nervous system, and triggers fat cells to break down body fat before releasing them into the blood stream as free fatty acids, making them available as fuel.

Packed With Essential Nutrients

Coffee contains several important nutrients, including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin. Since most people drink more than one cup per day, these amounts of essential nutrients can quickly add up.

The Biggest Source of Antioxidants

Coffee may actually be the healthiest aspect of the standard Western diet, especially since it contains a massive amount of antioxidants. Studies show that most people get more antioxidants from coffee than both fruits and vegetables combined.

May Lower Risk of Type II Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugars in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin. Studies show that people who drink the most coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of getting this disease, one study showing a reduction as high as 67%. One massive review from 18 studies found that each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Protects From Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and usually affects people over 65 years of age. There is no known cure, but there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from showing up in the first place like eating healthy, exercising, and drinking coffee. Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer's disease (29, 30, 31).

May Lower The Risk of Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and is caused by death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain. There is no known cure, but studies have found that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing it. The reduction in risk ranges from 32-60%.

Protects The Liver

Several common diseases primarily affect the liver, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others. Many of these diseases can lead to cirrhosis, in which the liver has been largely replaced by scar tissue. People who drink 4 or more cups per day have up to an 80% lower risk of developing this.

Fights Off Depression

Depression is a serious mental disorder that causes a significantly reduced quality of life. A Harvard study published in 2011 found that women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.

Coffee Drinkers Have a Lower Risk of Some Types of Cancer

Coffee appears to be protective against two types of cancer: liver cancer and colorectal cancer. Studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 40% lower risk of liver cancer, and those who drank 4-5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer.

May Help You Live Longer

Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could help you live longer. Plus, there have been several observational studies showing that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of premature death.