Caffeine and its Benefits

Coffee is a perfect partner for a sluggishly slow morning for billions of people around the globe, and for very good reasons. 

Coffee in any form whether it is hot, cold, with creamer, milk, sugar, or even crips black is an effective and efficient energizer that effortlessly brightens up a dull day. 

But have you wondered how your morning cup of joe can miraculously lift up your spirits to push through a lazy workday?

If you are not aware of the stimulant, caffeine, then you have stumbled across the right place, as this powerful stimulant is what gives your coffee the power to become an effective pick-me-up. 

If you are a coffee fanatic who cannot resist drinking multiple cups of coffee throughout the day, learning about the effects of caffeine is integral for maintaining a clean bill of health. 

To help you understand the bad, the good, and the best of caffeine here is all you need to know about caffeine and its benefits.

What is caffeine?

First things first, before jumping onto the benefits of caffeine, it’s important to know what caffeine exactly is, to begin with. 

Have you ever experienced a jolt of energy and motivation to preserve through the day after drinking a freshly brewed cup of coffee? If yes, then caffeine is your saving grace. 

Caffeine is a naturally occurring central nervous system stimulant of the methylxanthine class which is ideally found in coffee, tea, and even cocoa plants. 

In fact, apart from tea leaves and cocoa beans, this bitter-tasting substance can be found in about 60 plants including kola nuts, guarana beans, and yerba mate leaves. 

Caffeine as a stimulant is often consumed or used as a cognitive enhancer, to increase brain activity, alertness, and productivity. 

The energizing benefits were discovered in Ethiopia dating back to 850 AD by an Ethiopian herdsman named Kaldi.

Kaldi stumbled across the coffee when he noticed his goats jump excitedly around a red berry bush.

The herdsman himself experienced a gush of elation and a jolt of energy upon consuming one berry from the plant and brought the berries along to share with the monks. 

Furthermore, caffeine is among the most popular stimulants which are integrated into beverages, medication, supplements, foods, and tablets.

How does caffeine work?

With all the glorious background and history of caffeine and how it was discovered, you might be wondering how it works exactly.

Upon consumption, the stimulant caffeine is immediately absorbed into the body and travels into the bloodstream. 

After which the liver breaks down the compound of caffeine which is then put to use for different functions in various organs. 

Ideally, caffeine increases your brain activity by blocking the production of adenosine which helps relax the brain and eventually leads to one feeling tired. 

Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that gradually builds up throughout the day leading one to feel tired or sleepy. 

To help counterbalance the effects of this adenosine, caffeine promotes the circulation of two specific chemicals adrenaline and cortisol in the body. 

Caffeine also promotes the circulation of dopamine and norepinephrine leading to one feeling immediately refreshed and energetic.  

When taken in moderation or in smaller doses, caffeine can lead to one feeling energized, alert, and focused.

What types of foods and beverages contain caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that is found in plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, kola nuts, guarana beans, and yerba mate leaves. 

These natural sources of caffeine are then harvested and processed to procedure caffeinated foods and beverages. 

To help you determine which food or beverage items have caffeine here is a list of some of your favorite delectable delights: 

  • Coffee
  • Espresso
  • Brewed Tea
  • Soft Drinks
  • Decaf Coffee
  • Chocolate milk
  • Energy Drinks
  • Cocoa-based beverages
  • Dark chocolate 
  • Yerba Mate

What are the benefits of caffeine?

Caffeine is an effective nervous system stimulant that helps keep you alert and ready to face the day. 

But there are more benefits to consuming caffeine than you may think of. To help you determine whether or not caffeinated foods and beverages are for you, here is a list of benefits of consuming caffeine:

Boosts Energy Levels:

The first and most obvious reason to consume caffeine is for the benefit of elevated energy levels. 

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that helps increase brain activity and the nervous system by releasing two specific chemicals cortisol and adrenaline, that helps you feel refreshed and energized. 

Boosts metabolism:

As caffeine is a stimulant that helps enhance the function of the nervous system, it has also been proven to increase and boost metabolism by 11%. 

While most consider this happens on its own, research has proven the increased rate of metabolism can be a product of the elevated levels of energy after consuming caffeine in the body that promotes you to work out more and increase movement. 

Weight Loss:

Another benefit of drinking or consuming caffeine is the benefit of facilitating weight loss. 

In fact, coffee can promote weight loss and prevent weight gain by:

  • Caffeine is a great hunger suppressant that helps temporarily reduce your desire to eat
  • Caffeine by boosting the metabolism, stimulates thermogenesis leading the body to burn fat and produce energy by digesting food. 

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Improves Brain Function:

As we know adenosine is a chemical resealed by the body that helps you feel tired, fatigued, and relaxed. 

Consuming caffeine helps reduce the production of adenosine. Furthermore, caffeine is a natural stimulant that when extracted from coffee also integrates polyphenols and antioxidants. 

Prevents Neurodegenerative Diseases:

Research has indicated that the prolonged consumption of caffeine can help prevent certain neurodegenerative diseases.  

Caffeine is beneficial for lowering the risk of developing both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. 

Type 2 Diabetes:

Taking the a, not on the fact that coffee also integrates an exceptional amount of caffeine, one can say caffeine present in coffee can also help prevent Type 2 diabetes. 

Type-2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that is associated with how the body metabolizes and uses sugars. 

When the blood sugar levels of an individual are high, they can fall victim to serious health problems. 

Drinking coffee can help regulate these blood sugar levels and lower the risk of such health issues. 

Coffee protects the function of the beta cells present in the pancreas that produces insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels in the body. 

Not only that, but coffee also contains magnesium, a chemical element that helps break down sugar in the body. 

Improvers Liver and Colon health:

Lastly, caffeine enemas have also been proven to support the excretion of bile and support the colon wall. 

Another study indicates that the said caffeine enemas help increase the levels of antioxidants and glutathione, which further helps support the detoxification of the liver. 

Consumption of coffee helps prevent serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and lowers the rate of progressive diseases like hepatitis C. 

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