Can you imagine life without coffee? A cup of joe can instantly turn any groggy morning into a bearable one — but how does it affect your health?
Science has found that coffee can be advantageous to one’s health as long as it’s consumed in moderation. However, there are also risks in drinking this beverage, so here’s everything you need to know about this wonder drink:
Advantages
Coffee is a breakfast staple in most people’s lives because it can instantly wake up your still-sleepy, groggy self.
Coffee does make your brain more alert and helps you concentrate on the tasks ahead of you. It also has a high caffeine content which provides that extra jolt of energy that you need.
Caffeine is a psychoactive substance that stimulates the central nervous system, thereby making you more attentive. This alertness, or the effect of coffee, typically lasts for four hours – this natural stimulant can be found in tea and soft drinks as well.
Besides putting a spring in your step, coffee can also help with the migraine headache which is usually caused by an increase in blood flow due to enlarged blood vessels. Coffee, meanwhile, narrows these vessels, a process called vasoconstriction, which, in turn, reduces the blood flow.
It has also been found that coffee has a positive impact on your health in the long run. This wonder drink is said to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular illnesses because of its antioxidant and micronutrient contents.
Coffee has niacin, a B vitamin that is beneficial for our digestive system and skin. It also has potassium, which regulates heartbeat, and magnesium that promotes strong bones.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, all these positive effects on our bodies shouldn’t be taken as a green light to indulge in caffeine excessively. Coffee may be beneficial in some ways but how it impacts our health depends on the way we drink it.
You don’t have to consume bitter black coffee every day to reap its benefits, but you should be mindful of how you flavor your beverage. Coffee shops like Starbucks add liquid sweetener, which instantly racks up calories.
Also, coffee has different effects on people, but if you have low tolerance to it, you are likely to experience fast heartbeat, headache, irritability, insomnia, nervousness, and an upset stomach.
How Much Coffee Should You Be Drinking Then?
To avoid the risks mentioned, Mayo Clinic advised drinking four 8-ounce of coffee at max per day. However, if you are around 12 to 18 years old, the American Academy of Pediatrics said you should only take a cup of joe per day.
The general rule of thumb is to observe how coffee can make you feel.