The last thing caffeine lovers want to hear is that it is bad for them when it comes to coffee. Coffee has had a controversial reputation through the years, but everything in moderation!
So what is coffee anyway? Coffee is a fruit that is harvested from the coffee tree. The beans are roasted and shipped all over the world.
So what more can we learn about our favourite hot drink?
Benefits of Coffee
Before we dive into how coffee affects us negatively, let us talk about some of its strong points. There are so many health benefits from drinking coffee.
Good for Energy
Coffee has been known to help increase energy levels. Caffeine affects the central nervous system as it courses through our bodies, acting as a stimulant.
What does caffeine do to our brains? It blocks receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine. This forces an increase in our energy levels. One of these is dopamine.
Could Possibly Lower the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
It is believed that coffee can possibly help to maintain the function of beta cells in your pancreas. These beta cells are in control of producing insulin which regulates blood sugar levels.
Coffee is widely known for being rich in antioxidants that can affect insulin sensitivity, inflammation and metabolism. These are all contributing factors to diabetes.
Possible Strengthening of Brain Health
There is mixed research about coffee being linked to brain health. That being said, there have been studies that show coffee can help reduce neurodegenerative diseases.
It is believed that people who regularly drink coffee have shown a decreased rate of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.
All in all, it seems that coffee can be helpful in preserving cognitive health.
Can Help Stabilize Weight
Studies have shown that coffee can help to maintain gut health. There have been studies done to show that coffee can alter fat storage in the body.
Apparently, people who drink two or more cups of coffee daily are more likely to stick to exercise routines.
Assists with Depression
Some studies have found that people who drink four or more cups of coffee a day are less likely to suffer from depression. This is in comparison to people who drink one cup of coffee daily.
Help the Liver Fight
A few studies have shown that coffee consumption aids in liver health and helps fight against diseases.
The study found that people who drink two or more cups of coffee a day had less liver scarring. There are lower rates of liver cancer and liver disease in people who consume more coffee.
It seems that coffee helps prevent liver stiffness. Liver stiffness is how healthcare professionals find fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is scar tissue that has formed on the liver.
Benefits for your Heart
There is some research which shows that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. And also heart failure.
The same was found for the lowered chance of having a stroke.
It is important to remember that coffee can affect blood pressure negatively. It is essential for people with high blood pressure to limit their caffeine intake.
A Longer Life?
Studies showed that the consumption of two to four cups of coffee daily aided in a lower risk of death. This was despite people’s age, weight, or alcohol intake.
In a test-tube study, there was evidence that coffee helped lengthen the lifespan of yeast. The caffeine protected the yeast from free radicals and DNA damage.
This has not been tested on humans.
Aids in Performance
Some athletes use caffeine as an ergogenic aid. An ergogenic aid is also known as a performance enhancer.
A study found that people who drank coffee before exercise had better endurance. They also perceived physical exertion as lower.
Some people have been found to perform faster or stronger when consuming coffee before their workout.
It is important to note that coffee affects everyone differently.
It is essential to note that consumption in moderation is always best. If you have any health complications, then checking in with your doctor is the best choice. A dietician can also assist in forming healthy habits.
The Immune System and Coffee
Cortisol is a stress hormone that normally helps to regulate the immune system. However, chronic elevations of cortisol can lead to the immune system becoming “resistant” to its effects. This can lead to an accumulation of stress hormones, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines that further compromise the immune response.
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone that can help you focus and be alert. It also helps to regulate how your body metabolizes food, responds to infection, and controls blood pressure.
Coffee and Cortisol
Coffee may give you a quick boost of energy, but if you drink it when your cortisol levels are already high, you may end up further increasing those levels. This can eventually lead to health problems, as elevated cortisol levels over long periods of time can weaken your immune system.
Raised Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is a stress hormone. It’s to stop inflammation and control stress. If it’s too much, your body responds by making more. This can cause the immune system to function at a lower level.
When is the best time to drink coffee so it doesn’t interfere with Cortisol Levels?
It’s thought that coffee has the most energising effects when you drink it later in the day, after your stress hormone cortisol has had a chance to decrease. The hormone that makes you feel groggy after waking up follows a natural rhythm. For most people, it reaches its peak 30-45 minutes after they wake up, and then it starts to decline for the rest of the day.
It has been suggested that the best time to drink coffee is mid- to late-morning. This is because your cortisol level is lower at this time.
Conclusion
In other words, coffee consumption can be beneficial in moderate doses. It is essential to listen to what your body is telling you and to respond accordingly.
Also, see a doctor if you are concerned about your immune system and how it is impacted by what you are eating and drinking.
