Chemical Affects of Coffee
Coffee has been around for centuries and has become an essential part of daily routines for millions of people. It is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world and is believed to have numerous health benefits. But, if you drink it in excess, what will happen?
The main active ingredients in coffee are caffeine and diterpenes. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, while diterpenes are compounds that are thought to protect against certain diseases. Caffeine increases alertness and boosts energy levels. However, drinking too much coffee can lead to jitters, irritability, and insomnia.
In terms of nutrition, one 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 95mg of caffeine and zero calories. Additionally, it contains small amounts of nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. While these are not enough to qualify as essential nutrients, they can help to boost overall health and wellbeing.
Experts warn that regularly drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can lead to a range of health complications, such as increased blood pressure, irritability, and restlessness. Furthermore, drinking caffeine impacts the body in the short-term, as well as in the long-term. Long-term drinking of coffee can lead to digestive discomfort and can also be addictive.
According to research, drinking coffee every day may increase the risk of developing hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. The American Heart Association has identified caffeine as one of the substances that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, people who are sensitive to caffeine can experience side effects like rapid heart rate and palpitations, as well as an upset stomach.
Benefits of Coffee
Despite the potential risks, coffee can also have positive effects on our health. Studies suggest that drinking a moderate amount of coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, and some types of cancer. Studies have also found that coffee may improve cognitive performance, potentially reducing the risk of age-related mental decline.
Coffee has been proven to contain powerful antioxidants which can reduce inflammation throughout the body, and can help to protect cells from damaging free radicals. Furthermore, coffee may have the potential to improve the body’s metabolic rate which can help to burn fat and improve overall health.
In order to maximize the potential beneficial effects of coffee, it is important to drink it in moderation and to enjoy it in its natural state as opposed to adds sugar and cream. Studies have shown that adding calories to coffee such as sugar and cream can lead to weight gain.
Risks of Drinking Too Much Coffee
As mentioned previously, drinking too much coffee can lead to health complications. Too much caffeine can lead to heart palpitations, restlessness, headaches, and dehydration. Also, coffee has been linked to deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals, as well as increased levels of stress hormones.
According to experts, drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can lead to insomnia and other sleep disturbances. An accumulation of caffeine over time can affect your ability to sleep. Also, individuals who regularly drink coffee may become tolerant to caffeine and require more to get the same effect.
Time of Consumption
Finally, the time of day that you consume coffee may also have impacts on its effects. Consuming coffee before bedtime can have an adverse effect on your body’s natural sleep cycle. Similarly, drinking coffee in the morning will have different effects on your alertness than in the afternoon.
Experts recommend that if you enjoy drinking coffee, you should try to consume it 4 to 5 hours before bedtime to ensure that it won’t interfere with your sleep. Additionally, you should also be aware of your general caffeine consumption and try to not exceed more than four cups of coffee a day.
Decaffeinated Coffee
Coffee that is labeled as decaffeinated still contains small amounts of caffeine. The process of decaffeination takes caffeine out of the beans but still retains many of the beneficial nutrients that are found in your average cup of coffee. Studies have shown that decaffeinated coffee still has some potential health benefits such as improved metabolism and reduced risk of diabetes.
However, decaffeinated coffee is not always the healthier option as it may have lower levels of beneficial antioxidants than regular coffee. Furthermore, decaffeinated coffee may contain additives and chemicals that are used during the decaffeination process, which can be harmful to our health.
Prescription Drugs
Coffee may interact with certain prescription drugs, and this can result in serious side effects. For example, combining coffee with certain blood-thinning medications could lead to excessively high blood pressure and increased risk of bleeding. It is therefore important to speak to your doctor before consuming coffee if you are taking prescription drugs.
Awareness of Risks
Overall, drinking coffee every day can have both positive and negative effects on our health. It is important to be aware of the potential side effects, and to make sure that you are drinking coffee in moderation to maximize its health benefits. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the effects that caffeine can have on your body and to try to avoid consuming it too close to bed time.
