Effects of Coffee

It doesn’t matter whether you drink coffee because of the taste, or you actually rely on it for energy, you still get the advantages and disadvantages of the drink.

The main reason people drink coffee is because they want to ease their physical and mental fatigue and heighten alertness, but coffee has an incredible amount of other uses. Some examples are:

• Mental alertness

• Preventing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia

• Slowing cognitive decline

• Prevents gallstones, gout, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer

The last one may seem surprising, but it is actually used to treat cancer patients. Coffee is used as an enema as a part of the “Gerson Therapy.” Gerson Therapy is basically treating cancer patients with caffeinated coffee in the form of enemas every four hours. Although many countries use this form of treatment, it is not acceptable in the United States.

The caffeine in coffee works by stimulating the central nervous system, heart, and muscles. Other chemicals in coffee also have benefits.

Drinking more than 4 cups a day can cause headaches, anxiety, irritability, and irregular heartbeats. Another reason you shouldn't drink more than 4 cups a day is you could become dependent on caffeine and if you stop drinking it, you would develop withdrawal symptoms.

It could also be dangerous to pregnant women if they have 3 cups or more a day (300 mg or more).

Short-term effects:

• Raised blood pressure

• Trouble sleeping

Long-term effects:

• Heart palpitations or other heart problems

• Mental health changes

A November 2015 study says that coffee consumption can be associated with an 8%-15% reduction in the risk of death (varies on the amount you drink).

Yes, there are some unhealthy side effects of caffeine, but there are an increasing amount of positive effects. Here is a list.

• Increases memory

• Detoxes liver

• Improves alertness

• Stimulates hair and nail growth

• Increases workout stamina

• Reduces kidney stone risk

• Helps those with asthma

• Improves problem solving skills and reaction time

• Prevents weight gain

As stated before, caffeine can increase energy levels. In more detail, caffeine goes into your bloodstream and travels to your brain. The levels of norepinephrine and dopamine increase, leading to enhanced firing of neurons. This will affect your cognitive function and mood positively.

Coffee can help burn fat. Studies show the metabolic rate is boosted by 3%-11% when you drink coffee (these effects may lower for long-term coffee drinkers).

Several necessary nutrients are found in coffee. Some include riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), manganese, potassium, magnesium, and niacin.

Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia in the world, usually affecting people of the age of 60.

I typically drink one or 2 cups of coffee per day. For me personally, if I have more than 2 cups, I’ll get a headache and a stomach ache, but for most people, more than 2-4 cups is completely fine. The amount of positive vs. negative effects is pretty great. Although drinking coffee is good overall, getting sugary drinks from coffee shops may not be the best option. Some of the products may contain more sugar than actual coffee. At home is where I make my coffee, as it’s cheaper and healthier, but I completely understand the reasoning behind getting coffee from a coffee shop every once in a while or even everyday. It’s quicker, easier, you can multitask.

Overall, drinking coffee should be part of your morning routine. It’s delicious and healthy. It helps with almost everything. I suggest drinking one cup in the morning, and one right before your workout (as long as it isn’t in the evening). Enjoy your delicious cup of joe!