Waking up early in the morning, getting ready, and going to work can be a meticulous process if you have a monotonous routine every day. Luckily for people like me who have a hard time staying awake the entire day, there is a solution in the form of coffee.
History of Coffee
One of the most drunk liquids in the world, coffee has been around for centuries. Although no one is entirely sure about who discovered coffee, there is a general consensus that coffee spread throughout the world through the Ethiopian Plateau. Coffee production and cultivation on a large scale started in the Arabian Peninsula during the 15th century. The popularity of coffee grew exponentially and after a period of a few centuries, coffee came to Europe. Businesses started opening up dedicated solely to coffee and production which gave rise to the café culture. Regardless of who first cultivated coffee, it is one of the most essential parts of our everyday life.
Although there are more tea drinkers in the world, the significance of coffee and its esteem cannot be neglected. In these recent times, several companies have dedicated their focus on coffee and have been highly successful in major parts of the world. Starbucks and Tim Hortons are among the leading names of largescale coffee producers who have successfully targeted the caffeine-starved population of the West.
Drinking Coffee
More than 50 percent of the people in the US drink coffee on a daily basis. Coffee has high levels of caffeine that helps you stay awake and alert and increases your attention span. Studies have shown that drinking coffee does wonders for your mind and body. Some of the benefits of coffee drinking are:
- Living Longer – According to some research, drinking coffee substantially reduces your chances of developing heart failures and diabetes. Drinking coffee has also been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases significantly. Thus, making your life healthier and longer.
- Losing the Extra Pounds – Drinking coffee regularly can help you reduce your weight. The caffeine present in the coffee raises your body’s metabolism and enhances the oxidation of some fatty acids. Drinking coffee also helps you in improving your overall athletic performance.
- Becoming Smarter – This might seem a bit odd, but studies have shown that the caffeine present in coffee increases your brain activity but blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitters thus enhancing your memory, mood, and your general brain activity.
- Strengthening Your Liver – Alcoholism can severely damage your liver which can lead to a number of different diseases. Studies have shown that drinking 4 cups of coffee a day helps in strengthening your liver tissues and reducing the chances of developing liver problems. Coffee drinking can also reduce your chances of developing liver cancer by almost 40 percent.
- Improving Your Immunity – Coffee is not just an energy boost. It contains various types of nutrients and vitamins that help your body improve its immunity. A cup of coffee contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, Potassium, and Manganese, all of which are essential nutrients for your body.
While Coffee can be a great start to your day, there are however, some downsides to drinking excess coffee. Some of which are:
- Increased Anxiety – Drinking coffee in normal amounts is beneficial to your health, however, once you start taking in excess caffeine, your mind will eventually start developing anxiety which will impact your mental wellbeing.
- Insomnia – One of the biggest concerns about drinking large amounts of coffee is its effect on the sleep cycle of the body. Drinking coffee just before bed can induce insomnia and disrupt your body’s internal clock.
- Increased Blood Pressure – Patients of Hypertension have to be cautious when drinking coffee. Coffee elevates your blood pressure levels which can be harmful to you. According to research, adults with hypertension who drink more than four cups of coffee per day are more susceptible to heart diseases than people who consume less than 2 cups per day.
- Possible Miscarriages and Menstrual Problems – It is recommended for pregnant women to check on their caffeine intake as it can cause severe complications which may even lead to a miscarriage. Other than that excessive caffeine can impact your menstrual cycle. Prolonged cramps, period delays, and unusual flows are some of the effects of extra caffeine in your system.
- Hallucinations – While drinking coffee is generally safe, prolonged exposure to excessive coffee intake can take a toll on your mental health and you might end up hallucinating a lot.
- Osteoporosis – Although rare, but some cases of excess coffee drinking have been reported to cause bone thinning and loss leading to Osteoporosis.
- Increased Acid Production – Coffee increases the production of the hydrochloric acid (stomach acid), which can cause heartburns, acid reflexes, and may even lead to ulcers.
Other than that, digestive problems, irritability, cold sweats, nausea, and diarrhea are some of the less common problems associated with high caffeine intake.
Conclusion
Caffeine has become a major part of the Western culture. While the advantages of coffee far outweigh the complications, it is still best to avoid taking excessive amounts of coffee. Drinking coffee in the morning helps you remain productive throughout the day and helps you remain alert and attentive which adds to your efficiency. Avoid drinking coffee right before going to bed. If you drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day, try to reduce your intake by spacing your drinks or you can try drinking Decaf coffees that minimize the amount of your caffeine intake.
Coffee is a vital part of our daily routine and without it, most of us would not feel fresh and awake, at least that is the case for me. Whether you love drinking coffee, tea, or any other liquid, taking them in excess amounts might be doing more harm to you than good. Therefore, always keep a check on your daily intake and consult a doctor straight away if you feel any irregular symptoms. Other than that, you are good to go.