A cup of coffee is more than just a beverage – for some people, it is just like a daily ritual, which they need to follow in the morning or evening, multiple times a day in some cases. In the world of health and wellness, coffee has always been given a sweet and sour treatment. Some of the experts praise it for its antioxidant-rich properties and even hail it as a super drink, while there is another set of people who blame it for high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, and so much more! In such circumstances, it is quite understandable for a person to wonder whether their daily dose of coffee is actually benefiting them, or is it doing more harm than good? The truth, however, is that the benefits of drinking coffee might be different for different individuals, and most of it depends on moderation. The amount of caffeine introduced into the body through coffee determines the benefits or harm that it does to the body. While moderate consumption of coffee can help in better focus and increased brain function, too much of it can result in sleep deprivation, heart disease and other problems. In this article, we will discuss in detail coffee and its effects on the human body.
What are the pros of drinking coffee?
Let us start by understanding how coffee positively affects health. There are many ways in which a person can benefit from coffee, which include:
- Stimulates brain function: Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that improves brain function and boosts metabolism. Caffeine is a known brain stimulant that works by blocking the function of adenosine, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Soft drinks and tea are also a source of caffeine, but coffee is the biggest and most popular one.
- Protects against Alzheimer’s: Various studies have shown that coffee can decrease the risk of a person developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Both of these diseases are the first and second most common neurodegenerative disorders, respectively, which affect millions of people worldwide, and are a leading cause of dementia.
- Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes: People who drink coffee on a regular basis have significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as compared to the ones who don’t.
- Contains essential nutrients and antioxidants: Coffee is a very good source of antioxidants and various nutrients, including Vitamins B2, B5, and B1, and minerals like Folate, Potassium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus.
- Improves alertness and focus: Coffee has been proven to improve the alertness and focus of the brain while also improving brain function. It improves concentration and boosts energy.
- Improves mood and cognitive function: Coffee has been shown to improve or elevate the mood of a person and increase their cognitive function. As a result, people who consume coffee are at lower risk of developing depression.
Cons of drinking coffee
Along with the above-mentioned positives, coffee also has some negative impacts on health. These ill-effects include:
- Anxiety and Sleeplessness: Consuming too much coffee can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, heart disease, and even panic attacks. Moreover, it might also disrupt the sleep patterns of the individual. Caffeine is also highly addictive, and if a person misses one or two cups of it, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
- Hard on the stomach: For people who have issues like acidity and heartburn, coffee can further trigger their upset stomach and might lead to acid reflux, heartburn, and other types of digestive discomfort. People facing such problems often shift to low-acid variants of coffee.
- Reduced Nutrient Absorption: Drinking too much coffee can lead to a reduction in the ability of the body to absorb various nutrients, like iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Increased Blood Pressure: Coffee can increase the blood pressure of a person; hence, people with any pre-existing cardiovascular condition or heart disease should be extra cautious of the amount of coffee they are consuming.
Like every other thing in this world, coffee consumption is not free from negatives, and has its own set of pros and cons. Again, like every other thing in the world, moderation is the ultimate key. A person must be mindful of the amount of coffee they are consuming on a daily basis, so as to make sure that they are reaping the best possible benefits from their cup of coffee, and are not being harmed by it. Coffee, without any doubt, can turn out to be a magical drink for the health of a person who consumes it in the right amount, at the right time. For more information about the same, a person should consult the Best Heart hospital in Mohali who can give them a better understanding of the right dose of coffee they can have daily, guiding them at every step, and every cup!
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