Java, cup of Joe, the sweet nectar of the gods, however you like to call it, coffee is a big part of people’s lives. When it comes to escaping the grogginess we all experience in the early hours of the morning there is no other beverage we reach for. The consumption of Coffee has become a multi-billion dollar industry as seen from the likes of Tim Horton’s or Starbucks, but why do we love it so much? It’s in some part due to the aroma, and taste, but the real reason we always come back for more is caffeine.
Caffeine is found in many beverages such as soda pop and tea and even found in chocolate, albeit in smaller amounts. It acts on our central nervous system giving us a boost of energy and making us more alert; the perfect pick me up in the morning. But is too much of a good thing bad for us?
First off caffeine is classified as a stimulant, much like how nicotine is. It is there for considered an addictive substance to a certain degree. When we consume a caffeinated beverage the caffeine attaches to receptors in our central nervous system stimulating the pleasure centers of the brain, as well as up regulating the body’s metabolism giving us that familiar sensation of being more awake and energetic. But too much caffeine can have some negative effects
[1], such as:
- Jitteriness/Irritability
- Insomnia
- headaches or dizziness
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
It is estimated that about 100 milligrams of caffeine is found in a single cup of brewed coffee, with about 400 milligrams being the approximate safe amount to be consumed by an adult in a single day
[2]. It would take a substantial amount to kill an individual, approximately 5000 milligrams, which is equivalent to about 50 cups of coffee in a 24 hour period
[3]. Although it is relatively rare for a person to overdose on caffeine, a few cases have been reported
[4].
Much like many stimulants on the body, abruptly stopping after a prolonged period of use, can cause withdrawal symptoms lasting a day or more
[5]. These include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Depressed mood
- Difficulty concentrating
Coffee itself does however have some positive effects on the body. It is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, such as B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. In fact coffee consumption attributes to the largest source of antioxidants in the western diet, beating both fruits and vegetables combined. Studies have also shown that coffee drinkers have an approximately 60% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as 32-60% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It was also observed that drinking coffee may drastically lower the risk of developing type II diabetes, in which a report combining 18 separate studies, totally 457,922 participants, demonstrated a decrease in the risk of diabetes by 7% with each cup of coffee per day consumed.
Some people will tell you they couldn’t survive without their daily cup of coffee, me included. There is nothing like the smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. It stimulates the senses and gets you motivated that much more to get out of bed, and start your day. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a cup or two, or even three if you’re so inclined, but just remember moderation is the key to a healthy wellbeing, as too much of anything may be harmful to your health.
