By Sarah Jones
There have been many of studies examining the effects of coffee on various aspects of health, including cognitive function and cardiovascular health.
But most people simply want to know if consuming their daily coffee is actually good for their health. The good news is that most studies suggest consuming coffee in moderate amounts has numerous health benefits including both short-term and long-term ones.
Coffee can improve mood, memory and athletic performance
Coffee can have many beneficial effects on mood and memory. Studies examining the effects of coffee consumption on cognitive function have seen a positive association suggesting that coffee actually has advantageous effects.
Those who consumed coffee seem to perform better on memory tasks compared to those who did not drink coffee. Additionally, coffee can also improve athletic performance. Coffee increases the availability of free fatty acids, the primary fuel source for muscles during exertion.
Whether you are a seasoned marathoner or weekend warrior, you can improve your athletic performance by adding a cup of coffee to your routine. Runners, bikers, and swimmers have all reported better times and performances when adding coffee or caffeine to their workout.
The consumption of coffee has also been implicated in long term benefits such as lower incidences of diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and lowered risk of Alzheimer’s, depression and suicide.
Not all coffee is the same
Coffee contains caffeine, which is the active ingredient in coffee. Caffeine can act on various organs and systems in the body either directly or indirectly. However, different types of coffee contain varying amounts of caffeine.
Darker roasts actually contain lower amounts of caffeine compared to lighter roasts. This is important to note because the majority of studies suggest that consuming coffee only has beneficial effects in moderate amounts, up to about 400mg of caffeine.
Although some people can feel perfectly fine with their caffeine intake being greater than 400mg, others may experience nervousness, the jitters, stomach issues, or discomfort. If you are sensitive to just one cup of coffee, you may want to choose a darker roast rather that a lighter roast.
It is also important to note that other food contains caffeine. So, to prevent a caffeine overload, it is important to monitor your total caffeine intake.
Preventing caffeine overload
If you do happen to consume too much coffee, you may experience adverse effects on your overall health and mood, including gastrointestinal issues, insomnia, and nervousness. In order to prevent a caffeine overload, first limit and monitor your total caffeine intake. Also, stay hydrated and get plenty of exercise. Regular exercise helps improve overall metabolism and will help you get a better, restful night’s sleep.
It is important to consume coffee and caffeine in moderate amounts as the benefits have only been observed within a moderate range. The balance between nutrition, exercise and sleep is crucial for your overall health and fitness.
Author Bio
Sarah is in love with coffee and wants readers to know all about its benefits and the responsibility of its intake. That’s why she started We Dream of Coffee - to make the world a better coffee-loving place.
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