How's Coffee Affecting Your Brain (Pros, Cons, Risks, Nutrition - Q&A)

Do you drink coffee? It's a widely popular drink. Many people believe that coffee isn't good for your health. In fact, in the past, it was unfairly demonized. It's a major source of antioxidants in the Westerns Worldwide Diet. It's associated with decreased risks of diabetes and liver diseases. Although, there's a remaining question: Does coffee have benefits for your brain? In this post, I'm going to share my personal knowledge allied with science says about it.

I can't lie. I drink coffee most of the time. My idea about creating this post was to actually find out if it was good for me, or not. With that, I can help you, and help myself figuring it all out. It was an exciting idea as this morning, after waking up and my morning shower, there it is - my morning coffee.

I divided the post into five different 'sectors' by creating amazing lists for you. Explaining better, I'm going to be writing about the Pros, the Consequences, some risks, nutrition and some popular and 'unpopular' Q&A.

Since this blog is mostly about healthcare and mental health, there's a maximization of importance in talking about this subject. It's the first post that I also include nutrition. Your choices rephrasing food affect your health. Good nutrition is part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Physical activities and psychological activities can be empowered by good alimentation. See more about nutrition.

Let's begin!

Is Coffee Good For Your Brain?

Coffee is considered as an incredibly healthy beverage. It contains bioactive compounds that contribute to powerful health-benefits allied with antioxidants which fight the damage provoked by free radicals in your cells and blood pressure. Besides being full of caffeine - an energic compound - the effects of coffee go beyond that - it's packed with hundreds of chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, cafestol, and kahweol.

Caffeine affects your central nervous system. Adenosine - a neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you feel sleepy - mixed with caffeine inhibits the tendency of neurons to fire up, slowing the neural activity. What actually happens is that, by caffeine and adenosine work together by being the same molecular structure, with one boosting your brain activity and the other one, slowing it down, the great consuming of caffeine prevents you from going to sleep - of course - and makes you feel more alert by stimulating your brain activity.

Caffeine will boost your brain function in the short term, which means that it's a temporary feeling of energy. By the end of those effects, you'll more and more tired, wanting the need for more. That also creates addiction - is it good or is it bad? Caffeine improves aspects of the brain such as mood, reaction time, attention and vigilance, quick learning time - mental functions go up to the surface. Although, don't be mistaken. Your brain is smarter than you think. You may develop a tolerance to caffeine over time, meaning you'll need to consume more coffee than ever before to get the same effects. It will change quickly!

It may also affect your memory. Caffeine - as powerful as it is - will enhance short-term memory effects in performing memory-tasks by the brain. One study proves although that caffeine may improve long-term memory when administered after learning [something].

By the end of those effects produced by the caffeine, your brain will begin to feel fatigued and tiredness. The main reason people enjoy drinking this beverage - besides actually loving the taste - is to feel more energetic and wide awake. However, the energy boost only lasts a certain amount of time, you may feel needing another cup to keep you boosting, and awake.

Coffee may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common disease of dementia in the world.  It causes memory loss allied with problems with thinking and behavior. Observationally, studies associate the consumption of moderate coffee with a lower risk of developing dementia diseases. Also adds many benefits in fighting Parkinson Diseases.

IMPORTANT:

Drinking coffee reduces the quality of your sleep, which will likely have an opposite effect on the overall brain function.

Should you drink coffee?

Well, I drink coffee. Maybe, I'll never stop. Perhaps, I'm addicted. What I'm trying to show to you is that you must be aware of what you're putting inside your body. It's okay to have some moderate addictions - it's actually a human thing to do so. Although, it's always important to become conscious about what we do. Isn't it?

Coffee - when consumed in moderation - can be very good for your brain. In the short-term, will improve your mood, vigilance, learning and reaction time. In the long-term may protect you against dementia diseases.

However, moderation is the key. In excess, caffeine will cause you anxiety, jitters and heart palpitations along with sleep problems.

It's good to note that some people are very sensitive to caffeine, while others can drink many cups per day without any side effects. It's not appropriate for children to drink coffee. But, for people who tolerate it, coffee will provide impressive benefits for the brain.