This is a Great Article I read today on Coffeeism.com! I love their great knowledge on coffee and how it affect our bodies!! Please read and let me know what you think as well as Coffeeism!!
It’s not uncommon for employers and employees alike to reach for a caffeinated beverage when they need a bit of an energy boost. And while some might prefer to get their caffeine in the form of soda or an energy drink, the majority of consumers’ favorite mood-lifter is coffee itself.
That addiction is likely fueled by caffeine, which seems to have an impact on mental clarity and performance. The down side? Besides being addictive, caffeine can encourage weight gain and obesity. But there is a plus side – so let’s focus on that side.
Caffeine actually blocks the adenosine receptors, which keeps you feeling alert and on top of your game, even when your brain would usually be trying to slow down a bit. Because of this, coffee not only increases our energy and keeps us from being sleepy, but it helps our concentration. That’s why when we drink a cup of coffee before working, we feel like we can focus and get things done.
But what does it really do…
1. (The Good) It improves mental performance and alertness.
Medical writer Stephen Braun has said that caffeine blocks receptors for adenosine, a compound in your brain that causes drowsiness. This explains why many of us feel less tired when we consume coffee!In low doses, caffeine also is said to improve mental performance and alertness. However, caffeine does not affect everyone the same way. Your personal response to caffeine could be vastly different from that of someone you know.
In shorter bursts, moreover, coffee can increase your cognitive functions, memory, alertness and energy. But as we all know, this effect can be short-lived, and you might crash later in the day.
2. (The Bad) It can affect the quality of your sleep.
In smaller doses, caffeine should not affect your sleep schedule. But if you consume too much, you may find it harder to fall asleep at night. This can unfortunately create an unhealthy cycle of not sleeping enough, stressing out and performing poorly at work. A longer-range result may even be burnout or an anxiety attack.Only you can decide what’s right for you, but either way, it’s good to be aware that your sleep can be negatively affected by caffeine. Most importantly, listen to your body.
3. (The Good) It may enhance your willpower.
As it turns out, coffee can strengthen your willpower and self-control, particularly when you’re exhausted. Making a big decision when you’re tired isn’t wise. You could end up compromising your values, succumbing to pressures in negotiations or taking on new projects at inopportune times.Drinking coffee beforehand, however, may help you stand your ground and make better decisions. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you’ve had a busy day and still have important decisions to make.
4. (The Bad) Drinking coffee at the wrong time will lead to increased blood pressure and adrenaline levels.
Entrepreneurs (here, here) are constantly facing new challenges and putting out fires. In business, a strong mentality is a prerequisite, but even the best people can become frazzled and stressed out. If this continues over the long haul, you could even burn out.However, reaching for cup after cup after cup is not affective.
Fun fact: between 8am and 9am – and noon and 1pm, as well as 5:30pm and 6:30pm – most people have a spike in their level of cortisol, which helps the body metabolize and use sugar and fat for energy. In other words, you’re already revving up. So target the caffeine jolt to between 9:30 am and 11:30am, and if you want to keep sailing through the day, have another cup of java between 1:30 to 3:30.
Caffeine blocks adenosine, so the buildup can suddenly come flooding in as you crash, making you feel even more tired. So you don’t need more caffeine when you’re coping with high levels of stress, despite its overall benefits when you aren’t under extreme pressure.
5. (The Good) It can help you learn faster.
Drinking coffee after first learning something increases the chance you’ll remember it. How much more productive would you be if you could learn stuff faster? Well there’s good news. A study from PLOS One reports that intake of 200 mg of caffeine – 2 cups of coffee worth – prompts the brain to identify words and phrases more quickly.Many entrepreneurs make it their goal to pick up new skills, learn technology or gain a better understanding of where their company stands among others in their industry. A cup of coffee – or two – just might be what you need to give your full attention to the material you’re studying and put it to use in your company.
6. (The Good) Coffee Protects Our Brains
The oils in coffee – kahweol and cafestol – are unique potent neurological anti-inflammatory agents that actually protect the brain against oxidative stress and DNA damage. An inflamed brain is surely a poorly functioning brain. Regular consumption of coffee can keep our brains safe from the many stressors and therefore, healthy for the long run. Be sure to use a French press, gold filter or good espresso machine to preserve these precious oils, though!7. (The Good) Coffee Rituals Increases Creativity
We know that coffee improves our ability to focus, but does this interfere with our creative thinking ability? Research suggests that coffee can actually help people to be more creative.Coffee is a part of regular routines for many creatives — writers in particular. Coffee shops are also preferred work spaces, as the ambient noise found in coffee shops has been shown to be conducive to creative cognition.
As Maria Konnikova wrote in a New Yorker article looking at the science behind coffee and creativity, “Creative insights and imaginative solutions often occur when we stop working on a particular problem and let our mind move on to something unrelated.” Since coffee keeps us focused, that means our caffeinated minds don’t have the chance to wander.
Final thoughts
Other factors in your personal response include the dosage you consume, your weight and age and even the quality of your sleep. You should be aware that you can build up tolerance to caffeine over time, so one cup of coffee might not be enough to give you the same boost it used to.In fact, some people don’t feel anything until they’ve downed two cups, though that may not be anything to brag about. It just means you’ve been hooked on caffeine a long time.
It’s important to be aware of both the upsides and downsides of coffee. Moderate use, with accompanying attention to your sleeping habits and stress levels, can be beneficial. Meanwhile, be aware that overuse and misuse may agitate an existing health problem or develop a new one. Typically, caffeine abuse isn’t worth the trouble it brings, so set boundaries for yourself and stay healthy.
