"The powers of a man's mind are directly proportional to the quantity of coffee he drinks", quoted Sir James Mackintosh. Coffee is a mild stimulant to our Central Nervous System. We gulp it down several times a day without actually pondering what it does to our brain. A cup of coffee can make you excel at what you do. It can make your dreams come true. Wondering how? Read on to find out.
In this article, we shall look into the question, 'Is coffee good for your brain? Pros and Cons of drinking coffee'.
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| Is coffee good for your brain? |
Coffee in our daily lives
Coffee is the second most traded commodity on Earth after oil. It is estimated that approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee is consumed every day, globally. Roughly, 80% of the global population drinks coffee. About a third of coffee drinkers started drinking coffee before they turned 17, and roughly 70% did so before turning 25.
People drink it for several reasons; to savor the taste, to get that energy boost, and some people include it in their diet due to the health benefits it offers.
How is coffee good for your brain?
Highlighting the benefits of drinking coffee, French historian, Jules Michelet stated, "Coffee, the sober drink, the mighty nourishment of the brain, which unlike other spirits, heightens purity and lucidity; coffee, which clears the clouds of imagination and their gloomy weight; which illuminates the reality of things suddenly with the flush of truth". That's dinkum oil. By the end of this article, you will definitely find the answer to the question 'is coffee good for your brain?'
Coffee offers exquisite benefits to its consumers. The most primal ones are mentioned below.
Working of coffee
As rightly said by Jenny Seinfield, "We want to do a lot of stuff. We're not in a great shape. We didn't get a good night's sleep. We're a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup".
Adenosine is a compound present in our brain that is responsible for making us feel drowsy, tired, and sleepy. The structure of caffeine present in coffee among others is very similar to adenosine. Caffeine acts as an impostor and binds with the receptor cells of adenosine, thus blocking its function. Caffeine actually tricks your brain into thinking that it is not tired. This effect kicks in nearly after an hour of coffee consumption.
Coffee improves brain power and functioning
In regard to the same effect mentioned above, your brain releases extra dopamine and glutamine, which make you more motivated and improve your mood. You will also feel more alert, conscious, and awake due to the blockage of adenosine. The amalgamation of caffeine and sugar (glucose) gives you a sudden jolt of energy making you impregnable for a while.
Not only that, scientists have found that intake of 200 mg coffee can improve your memory for 24 hours after consumption. Research suggests that subjects performed regular tasks efficiently after coffee intake than compared to the usual state of being. Caffeine in coffee is a mild stimulant. If consumed an hour before physical activity, it can improve your performance and reduce exertion. Plus, coffee burns additional calories.
Coffee reduces stress, depression, headaches, and neurodegenerative diseases
Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine released after consumption of coffee, relieve stress and boost mood. The aroma of coffee can help calm your nerves. Drinking 2-4 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of suicide by 50%. Consumption of caffeine, especially coffee, reduces the propensity for depression.
Coffee can also relieve excruciating headaches. Enlargement of the cerebral blood vessels is the usual cause of migraine and headaches. Fortuitously, caffeine reduces the blood flow to your brain by 27%, alleviating your ache. Thanks, caffeine!
Coffee also protects your immune system and prevents premature death by preventing cognitive decline. Lifelong coffee consumption is linked with the prevention of cognitive decline and reduced risk of developing stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.
How can coffee harm you?
Up to 400 mg of caffeine, a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults.
Too much coffee means too much caffeine. And too much of anything is too bad.
If your daily caffeine limit exceeds, your pituitary gland gets activated which triggers the adrenalin gland to flush your body with adrenaline making you feel anxious, sweaty, and irritated. This exacerbates stress by multiplying its intensity.
Effects of caffeine last up to 6 hours. Thereafter, it gradually decreases. Excess intake of coffee means increased levels of several neurotransmitters, which gives you a tough time making it difficult for you to sleep. It reduces your REM or regenerative sleep by disturbing your sleep patterns. This REM sleep period is crucial for several activities like learning and memory. That is why this disturbance is bad.
Moreover, the caffeine present in coffee increases your blood pressure temporarily. It would be better if diabetes patients consulted with their doctor instead of following their own remedies and suggestions.
Try to wield simple yet effective benefits from the things around you. A masterpiece can be crafted from scratch too. Look at the world around you. It frequently offers you ways to get you out of your shell. Avail of them and rise above your potential. Reach your goal. Stay optimistic and solve your troubles. And remember that the best is yet to come.
Hope my article, 'Is Coffee good for your brain? Pros and Cons of drinking coffee', is of assistance. Subscribe for updates.
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