Myths And Benefits Of Coffee

Sometimes we are forced to avoid caffeine, donations for health or other beliefs. This forces us to give up coffee. However, caffeine is found not only in black roasted beans, but also in tea leaves, cola, cocoa, energy drinks, some pastry decorations, medicines, including the most commonly used - for colds and painkillers, and in various means for weight loss.

Before we give up coffee just because of this "disadvantage", it is good to keep in mind the following facts ...

1. Caffeine makes us addicted

Caffeine is a type of stimulant for the brain, which means that its regular use leads to physical dependence. However, unlike drugs, caffeine does not affect our behavior, physical health, social life, etc. If you give up coffee once, which you took years early in the morning, it is most likely to experience symptoms such as headache, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood and difficulty concentrating for a day or two. However, this will not force you to become addicted, to consume more food, to reach for alcohol, etc.

2. Caffeine causes insomnia when ...

Caffeine, fortunately, is absorbed quickly by the body during the working day. It is processed mainly by the liver. And it is just as quickly expelled from the body. It usually separates in 5-7 hours, which forces us to refresh ourselves in the afternoon with a cup of weaker coffee. After the eighth hour to the tenth, three quarters of the ingested caffeine is not contained in the body. Of course, this means that a cup of afternoon coffee can keep us awake until late, disrupt sleep, which also applies to that one Thursday of caffeine left in the body in more sensitive natures. Therefore, it is recommended that coffee and other invigorating drinks not be consumed at least 6 hours before bedtime. In more sensitive natures, caffeine, in addition to affecting metabolism, can lead to insomnia, as well as cause nervousness and gastrointestinal discomfort and disorder.

3. Caffeine increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease

In general, three large cups of strong coffee (300 mg of caffeine) should not affect the condition of a healthy person. Such a risk may occur in people with high blood pressure and the elderly.

However, if you increase the daily dose of caffeine intake 2.5 times, ie take more than 744 mg, it will increase the loss of calcium and magnesium in the urine. However, according to many studies, even these amounts will not lead to a decrease in bone density, provided that enough calcium is taken with food. This negative effect of coffee can be neutralized by adding just two tablespoons of milk to it. Caffeine intake is likely to affect bone health, but in old age - a higher risk of fractures is found. Then the body obviously becomes more sensitive to its side effects on metabolism, which requires reducing its daily dose to 300 mg.

If the body is sensitive to caffeine, its intake is likely to affect blood pressure and heart rate, but in other cases, many studies already show that it is not the cause of arrhythmia, narrowed blood vessel lumen or cardiovascular disease. In the presence of high blood or heart problems, sensitivity to caffeine is most likely to occur, so it is wise to avoid its use.

4. Does it interfere with fertility?

The recommendations are to try to reduce coffee consumption during pregnancy. In many studies, there is no link between the consumption of a cup of coffee with difficulty conceiving, miscarriage, premature birth, harm to the fetus or any impact on the birth process. For pregnant women, the permissible amount of caffeine per day is up to 200 mg. Higher doses are already associated with a risk of miscarriage.

5. Caffeine is a diuretic

Caffeine has the effect of accelerating the process of excretion of fluids from the body, which explains the frequent urges for a small need after ingestion. However, even if taken regularly, it cannot cause dehydration.

6. It is harmful for children ...

The fact is that today's children take caffeine from a very young age - about 22 mg per day, according to studies between 6- to 9-year-olds. These quantities are obtained through the consumption of food and desserts and are not a problem.

Children's bodies are also sensitive to caffeine, which can cause anxiety, irritability and feelings of helplessness later. Therefore, children should beware of consuming energy drinks and other products that contain more than the allowable minimum caffeine for them.

7. Caffeine helps sober up

In fact, this is one of the biggest myths. Despite drinking coffee after drinking alcohol, it can not cheer up and judgments and reactions remain delayed.

8. Does coffee benefit at all?

Regular coffee consumption has a positive effect on our ability to concentrate, stay awake, toned, hence more communicative, which is scientifically confirmed. A French study even found that caffeine slows cognitive decline in women as they age.

Its effect to help against headaches has also been confirmed. There is also evidence that it has a positive effect on people with asthma, as well as reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease, liver disease, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes and dementia.

Here we must not forget, however, that increased intake can have the opposite effect.