Are We Aware Of The Effect Of Caffeine On Our Body?

Why do we drink coffee? There are many reasons for its consumption and they vary according to the consumers, their tastes, needs and social habits. And if water is the most drunk drink in the world, it is coffee that ranks second. As we all know, caffeine is the main ingredient in coffee and the majority of energy drinks. But do we realize the effect of caffeine on our body? What could be its impact on the brain and the body? Is this famous stimulant good or bad for health?

Important facts about the effect of caffeine on the brain and metabolism

Did you know that every second in the world, we drink around 35,000 cups of coffee. In fact, the worldwide consumption of the caffeinated drink has never stopped increasing. It is interesting to know that, according to the International Coffee Organization, two in three inhabitants of the planet consume coffee, or 2.5 billion consumers. This would make coffee the second most drunk drink after water and ahead of tea. It's no secret that coffee has been sought after for centuries for its stimulating effect. It is the main source of caffeine in adults - a substance with a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Recent studies show that caffeine also acts on other parts of the body, particularly the digestive tract and the cardiovascular system.

The figures speak best: 1,500 cups of coffee are consumed every minute in France. And while some of this large number of consumers drink coffee for taste or just for fun, others take it to stay awake and resist fatigue. The consumption of one to two cups of coffee has many positive effects: improved concentration, great dynamism, a feeling of well-being, increased alertness and a good mood. All of this takes us to be wide awake.

In addition, several tests have proven that drinking coffee improves brain capacity. This manifests itself in improved alertness and attention, optimized logical reasoning, and shorter reaction time. But scientists have also discovered the effect of caffeine on people with Alzheimer's. Studies have shown that drinking more coffee is very effective in preventing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Known and prized for its stimulating properties, caffeine should not be consumed in excessive amounts due to potential health risks. Intakes of up to 400 mg per day, or the equivalent of four cups of coffee, do not raise a safety concern for healthy adults, except pregnant women, experts say.

Caffeine is naturally present in more than 60 plants, among which: coffee seeds, cola nuts, guarana seeds, the leaves of certain teas etc. Coffee represents 80% of the intake from everyday food. As already mentioned, the popular drink stimulates the central nervous system, increases alertness and reduces drowsiness.

For your information, the coffee bean contains essential nutrients. A single cup of coffee contains: 2% of the recommended dietary allowance of magnesium and niacin; 11% of the recommended intake of riboflavin (vitamin B2); 6% of the intake of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5); and 3% of the recommended intake of magnesium and potassium.

Research has shown that the stimulating effect of caffeine begins to be felt around 15 minutes after consumption and can last 5-6 hours depending on the dose. Aside from coffee, caffeine is usually consumed through teas, energy drinks, and chocolate. The substance is also contained in some antiallergics, as well as in cold and headache medicines.

The benefits of caffeine

There are so many health benefits to consuming caffeine that it would be a shame to go without. Several studies suggest a lower risk of depression in coffee drinkers. The consumption of the drink would stimulate the cerebral production of neurotransmitters of well-being: serotonin and dopamine. As an added bonus, some polyphenols in coffee appear to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

On the other hand, too much caffeine can cause anxiety or nervousness. In-depth analysis indicates that in healthy adults, 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Since caffeine temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure, people with heart disease should consume the substance with caution.

It turns out that caffeine can stimulate colon motor skills in some people. A test in healthy adults found that after consuming a cup of coffee, 29% of volunteers needed to go to the bathroom, within 4 to 30 minutes. But caffeine also stimulates the production of gastric juice and can increase the risk of heartburn in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

According to American experts, coffee contributes to the prevention of endometrial and liver cancer. Explanation: Caffeine and the polyphenols in coffee could inhibit the development of cancer cells. Laboratory tests have shown that caffeine destroys skin cells damaged by UV rays. It could therefore protect against skin cancer. Finally, it turns out that coffee can block the growth of breast tumors. 2 cups of coffee a day have been found to help prevent breast cancer from coming back in women taking tamoxifen.

The effect of caffeine on weight

As already mentioned, caffeine is a basic ingredient incorporated in many weight loss supplements. It is not by chance, because caffeine promotes the burning of fat stores and stimulates the metabolism. One of the polyphenols in coffee, chlorogenic acid, also has fat burning benefits. Studies have shown that drinking strong coffee may suppress hunger.

Adverse effects of excessive caffeine consumption

Not everyone reacts to caffeine the same way. If in some people coffee promotes sleep, others sleep very poorly after consuming the drink in the evening. Other side effects associated with binge drinking include: anxiety, restlessness, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia, and sleep disturbances. Too much caffeine can also cause headaches, migraines, and high blood pressure in some individuals. The substance can also cause cardiovascular, neurological and psycho-behavioral problems.

Caffeine and pregnancy

Caffeine in high amounts can easily cross the placenta, which can increase the risk of low birth weight or miscarriage. It is therefore essential that pregnant women limit their consumption.