Most Germans opt for their cup of coffee every day – after all, 166 liters were drunk per capita in Germany in 2019. In a small cup of coffee with 150 milliliters, there are 80 milligrams of caffeine. If we enjoy the hot beverage in moderation, coffee has extremely positive effects. In the 17th and 18th centuries, coffee slowly but surely became established in Europe. At first, coffee was drunk at breakfast, and later more and more at other meals. The popularity of coffee is mainly due to its stimulating effect. This effect of coffee can be attributed essentially to the caffeine it contains.
Caffeine content and calories in coffee
One coffee bean contains between 0.8 and 4 percent caffeine, depending on the variety. However, the caffeine content in coffee is also determined by the length of time the water is in contact with the powder. In the usual quantity – no more than four cups of 200 milliliters a day – there is no health risk associated with drinking coffee. In general, it can be said that coffee boosts the entire metabolism. In addition, it increases calorie consumption, but with zero calories is not a problem for the figure. The prerequisite for the absence of calories in coffee is, of course, that it is drunk black.
Is coffee healthy?
The coffee bean has an amazing effect on our gray matter: The brain blood flow is increased – and thus the concentration. The reaction speed and receptivity of our brain also increase. Coffee is a “wake-up call” – after a cup of coffee we are more attentive and concentrated than before. Coffee makes us more creative, more intelligent and more persistent, but this does not necessarily mean that it robs us of sleep. Thus, some people become alert from two cups in the late afternoon, while others only one cup makes them sleepy. This effect of coffee is caused by the caffeine it contains. This constricts the blood vessels, which briefly increases blood pressure and accelerates blood flow. As a result, the cells are supplied with more oxygen and are more active. Caffeine also affects our respiratory center – breathing is accelerated and bronchial vessels are dilated. Caffeine also has a diuretic effect and leads to increased urination (diuretic effect). If coffee is consumed in normal quantities, this effect is not harmful. Nevertheless, according to recent studies, the brain can become accustomed to regular caffeine intake, and this can lead to withdrawal symptoms if coffee is not consumed. These include fatigue, headaches and irritability.
Who benefits from drinking coffee?
Coffee lifts the mood, promotes a good mood and …
- Seniors benefit from better brain circulation and for this reason can often fall asleep better with an evening cup of coffee.
- Caffeine has a vasodilatory effect, which is why it is also used pharmaceutically: against headache, asthma, heart failure or morphine intoxication.
- Those who like to drink coffee and are concerned about their cholesterol levels must know that it depends on how you prepare the coffee. The consumption of filtered coffee remains without influence on blood lipid levels. Only in unfiltered variants (for example, espresso) substances enter the body that affect cholesterol levels.
- Recent studies show that regular consumption of coffee reduces the risk of gallstones by up to 23 percent. This was true for study participants who otherwise did not consume coffee.
- The chlorogenic acid found in coffee may prevent colon and liver cancer.
- Coffee can also be a “digestive aid”. A coffee or espresso after a meal stimulates gastric acid production and bile secretion –stomach and intestines get going again.
- It is known that caffeine can improve endurance performance during sports activities. Useful for athletes are the “wake-up” effect and stimulation of respiration by the coffee ingredients. However, whether the breakdown of fats leads to increased fat burning is still unclear. Caffeinated beverages should be drunk before exercise, but are not suitable as a fluid replacement after exercise.
How fast does coffee work?
The stimulating effect unfolds coffee about 30 to 45 minutes after you drink it. The effect of coffee is thereby different for each person.On the one hand, it is influenced by the presence of so-called adenosine receptors to which caffeine binds. Secondly, the body breaks down caffeine at different rates. Age and weight can also play a role. According to a U.S. study, the best effect is achieved by taking caffeine in small doses throughout the day rather than in a large cup in the morning, as this keeps the level of the neurotransmitter adenosine at a permanently lower level. Adenosine is produced in the body throughout the day, increasing the body’s need for sleep.
Coffee: effect unhealthy when …
Caffeine also has negative effects, but only in higher doses. If one has drunk too much coffee, it comes to tremors, palpitations, high blood pressure and possibly anxiety attacks. People who are extremely sensitive to the effects of caffeine then suffer from insomnia, stomach problems or the above-mentioned symptoms. In addition, the following negative effects of coffee are possible:
- Coffee is an “acid relaxer”, which means that it stimulates the production of gastric juices. So who has a sensitive stomach or is already sick to the stomach, should limit his coffee consumption to two cups a day.
- Over time, the nerve cells get used to the caffeine present. If the coffee consumption is suddenly stopped completely, so headaches can set in. But they subside after a few days.
- Coffee should be enjoyed by nursing mothers or pregnant women only to a small extent. One cup of coffee per day during pregnancy, however, does not harm the unborn child.
- Those who have serious heart problems should discuss their coffee intake with their doctor.
