f you’re a long-time coffee drinker, you probably don’t notice the effects of coffee on your body and your mind. Think back to the first time you started drinking coffee. Do you remember the buzz and the high? What about the first time you had to skip coffee after having it as your daily habit? You might recall intense headaches and debilitating fatigue.
What Coffee Does
- Coffee works by stimulating your central nervous system (https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-980/coffee), your heart, and muscles. This results in several effects on the body and mind:
Your mind becomes alert and clearer. You’ll be able to concentrate better and reduce any “brain fog” while your central nervous system is stimulated. - Reduces overall fatigue and allows you to feel energized if you’re functioning on little sleep.
- It causes agitation and anxiety, especially if you’re prone to those already.
- Reduces the quality and quantity of sleep.
- It causes increased heart rate and rapid breathing.
- It causes upset stomach, nausea, and in some cases, diarrhea.
The Beneficial Components of Coffee
While coffee is a stimulant that causes physical effects in the body, it doesn’t only come with stimulating effects. It also contains plenty of minerals beneficial for the body.
In the Western diet, “the single greatest contributor to the total antioxidant intake was coffee.” That’s more than fruits and vegetables combined! A single cup of coffee contains(https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-good-or-bad#section1):
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 11% of the DV
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): 6% of the DV
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 2% of the D
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): 2% of the DV
- Folate: 1% of the DV
- Manganese: 3% of the DV
- Potassium: 3% of the DV
- Magnesium: 2% of the DV
- Phosphorus: 1% of the DV
Not only does a cup of coffee provide some nutritional value, but studies have also shown that coffee may protect the brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Also, coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes and liver diseases.
The key to the benefits is to consume in moderation. Don’t drink more than four cups a day, and always check with your doctor. Caffeine is a drug, and you should treat it as such, even though it’s widespread.
