HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFFEE, BASED ON SCIENCE

THE ORIGINS OF COFFEE

Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science, Legend has it that Coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder who took his goats out to graze and when some of his goats bit off some berries from an evergreen shrub and suddenly appeared to get hyperactive. 

The herder, then, carried the tale of the incident to the local monastery about the berries he found and the unusual effect they had on his goats when consumed. The abbot was intrigued and decided to try out the berries for himself and consumed them after turning them into a drink.

He found that they helped him to stay alert during his prayers and shared this with the other monks. Caffeine is the naturally occurring substance in the coffee bean that gives a dose of energy and makes the drinker more alert. The monks took to consuming coffee regularly, and this was the starting point that led to coffee reaching the heights of popularity it enjoys today.  

Also Read: How is gourmet coffee different from regular coffee?

POPULAR CAFFEINE PRODUCTS

Medicines

Moderate caffeine intake can mitigate headaches, while an excessive dose may yield opposite results. Analgesics, remedies for cold/flu, and dietary aids incorporate caffeine to alleviate discomfort. Adhering to prescribed dosages is crucial to avert complications.

Decaf 

Opting for decaffeinated coffee is a logical choice to relish coffee's essence sans caffeine's consequences. Nevertheless, akin to caffeine-containing items, decaf coffee harbors minimal caffeine traces. Studies reveal that standard coffee holds about 100 milligrams per serving, whereas decaf contains 20 milligrams.

Fizzy Drinks

Colas and sodas, abundant in caffeine, remain prevalent caffeine sources. Caffeine within these drinks furnishes the vigorous revitalization experienced post-consumption. Overindulgence may lead to insomnia, exacerbated by their high sugar content and additives. Excessive sugar intake precipitates numerous health predicaments.  

Protein Bars

Protein bars also fall within the caffeine category, providing vital energy replenishment during critical junctures. Apt for satiating midday cravings or fueling at work, these bars feature carb-rich constituents like nuts and dried fruits. 

Specific scenarios necessitate caffeinated variants of protein bars.

Candy Bars

Candy bars fall within the realm of caffeine products due to their cocoa content. Cocoa naturally harbors caffeine, accompanied by theobromine, akin to coffee's caffeine impact. Candy bars average 10 mg of caffeine. Cocoa quantity dictates darkness and caffeine levels; semi-sweet chocolate chips contain around 30 mg of caffeine per half cup.

Coffee & Chocolate Ice Cream

Coffee and chocolate ice cream both bear caffeine, albeit in lesser quantities than your morning coffee. This dosage induces mild elevation, heightening alertness, and slightly abating weariness.

FACTORS AFFECTING CAFFEINE CONTENT 

Coffee Beans Used

The many varieties of coffee beans available have different levels of caffeine in them. Single estate coffee beans, for example, may yield more caffeine in coffee, while the Chicory blend may have less caffeine in coffee.

Roasting Method

Lighter roasts tend to have more caffeine in coffee than darker roasts. But where darker roasts lose out on caffeine in coffee, they make up by having a deeper and more intense flavour.

TYPES OF COFFEE

Coffee comes in various types, each with its own unique characteristics and preparation methods. Here are some popular types of coffee:

1. Espresso: A concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. It forms the base for many other coffee drinks.

2. Americano: Made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water, resulting in a milder flavor compared to espresso.

3. Cappuccino: Equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It's known for its creamy texture and often topped with a dusting of cocoa or cinnamon.

4. Latte: Made with espresso and a larger amount of steamed milk, usually topped with a small amount of milk foam. It has a milder coffee flavor and is quite popular.

5. Mocha: A combination of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. It's often topped with whipped cream.

6. Irish Coffee: A cocktail made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, and topped with whipped cream.

7. Iced Coffee: Regular coffee that's brewed hot and then cooled down before being poured over ice.

These are just a few examples of the many types of coffee enjoyed around the world. Each type offers a unique flavor profile and experience, catering to a wide range of preferences.

Also Try: Auric Gourmet Coffee

PROS OF CONSUMING COFFEE

There are many reasons why is coffee good for health. Some of the ways coffee is good for health are shared below:

Assists in Weight Management

Can coffee be deemed conducive to health within a weight loss regimen? Indeed, it can. Caffeine acts as a natural suppressant of appetite, aiding in the management of food cravings. Thus, coffee consumption correlates with observable reductions in body weight.

Stimulates Hair Growth

In addition to elevating vitality, coffee, is conducive to health, stimulates hair follicles, fostering robust and elongated hair growth. Caffeine functions to impede hormones implicated in hair deterioration and male pattern baldness, a condition colloquially known as male balding.

Mitigates Diabetes Risk

Coffee, beneficial for health, plays a role in diminishing susceptibility to diabetes. In the case of existing diabetes, coffee's caffeine aids in blood sugar regulation, mitigating the impact of Type 2 Diabetes.

Offers Respiratory Relief

Asthma, characterized by constricted airways over time, causes breathlessness and throat irritation. Coffee's health benefits encompass the potential to dilate air passages, facilitating smoother respiration. Expanding bronchial tubes, it guarantees optimal airflow within the lungs, conferring alleviation to asthma sufferers.

Manages Skin Concerns

Contributing to skin well-being, coffee demonstrates its health-enhancing traits. It minimizes under-eye darkness and puffiness, attributed either to inadequate sleep or genetic predisposition. Caffeine's presence curtails the accumulation of erythrocytes, mitigating inflammation and redness, common consequences of heightened red blood cell levels.

Enhances Short-Term Memory

Empirical evidence substantiates coffee's positive influence on cognitive function, particularly memory enhancement, albeit temporarily. Observations on individuals ingesting 150 milligrams of caffeine unveiled notable spikes in brain activity and ameliorated memory recall.

Concentration and memory faculties, critical aspects of cognitive function, are perceived to benefit from caffeine's constructive impact, as asserted by neurologists and toxicologists.

Rich Source of Antioxidants

Coffee's caffeine content boasts a plethora of antioxidants, surpassing those found in cocoa and tea. Laboratory analysis confirms coffee's antioxidant repository exceeds 1000. Antioxidants wield the prowess to combat specific cancers and arthritis, countering the impact of free radicals generated during routine metabolic processes. Notably, roasting coffee beans augments these antioxidant levels.

Chromogenic acid, a potent antioxidant within coffee, emerges as a shield against cardiovascular afflictions, further exemplifying coffee's health-inducing attributes.

SIDE-EFFECTS OF CONSUMING COFFEE

Prudent coffee intake is imperative, as excessive caffeine can yield unfavorable repercussions.

Gastric Discomfort

Elevated caffeine intake may exacerbate gastric lining irritation and invigorate the intestinal tract. Instances exist wherein coffee overindulgence precipitates queasiness and gastrointestinal disturbance.

Sleep Disturbance

Coffee acts as a stimulant, augmenting vigilance. Consuming coffee pre-slumber proves inadvisable, given caffeine's stimulating impact hindering sleep initiation and potentially causing prolonged insomnia.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

Excessive of a beneficial substance yields detriment. Redundant bloodstream caffeine can hyper-stimulate the heart, inducing arrhythmia. Coffee quantity, inducing this response, varies individually.

Restlessness and Unease

Surfeit coffee consumption can induce restlessness often coupled with unease. This sensation is familiar but can be alleviated by capping daily intake at two standard cups.

CONCLUSION

To wrap up, we trust that the various caffeine products discussed in this article, coupled with elucidating coffee's health advantages, have likely alleviated any concerns you harbored about consuming coffee. The primary insight gleaned is that coffee stands as a splendid beverage bestowing numerous health gains upon imbibers.

For promoting coffee's healthfulness, one viable approach involves crafting coffee domestically via a quality brewing apparatus. Alongside this machine, a coffee bean grinder is essential for achieving the correct coffee powder texture. Opting for organic, preferably single-origin beans augments both the benefits and the savor of your morning coffee. It is reasonably affirmable that we've furnished ample rationale to opt for a hot or chilled coffee cup, tailored to your liking.

Also Read: Coffee Benefits: Science Behind Glowing Coffee

 

Authored By: Poorvi Chhajer

About the Author: Poorvi is a psychology graduate with a knack for writing and a belief in Ayurveda.