Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It’s estimated that about 166 million kilograms of coffee (365 million pounds) were consumed worldwide last year. This number is expected to grow in the coming years.
Drinking coffee has become essential to everyday life. Here are some well-known benefits of consuming coffee.
Improve Physical Performance
Do you like to exercise first thing in the morning? You might want to consider drinking a cup of coffee beforehand. That’s because coffee can improve your physical performance! Caffeine hijacks your body’s adenosine receptors, increasing alertness and improving reaction time. In other words, it can help you push harder and go further when working out.
Protect Your Brain
Studies have shown that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This is believed to be because coffee contains compounds that can promote brain health, including caffeine, antioxidants, and chlorogenic acids.
Boost of Energy
It’s no secret that one of the main reasons people drink coffee is its caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase alertness, vigilance, and even mood. So if you’re tired and need a little boost to power through your day, reach for a cup of joe!
Improve Mood
Coffee isn’t just a pick-me-up for your physical energy levels; it can also boost your mood thanks to its caffeine content. Caffeine has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and make people feel happier overall. So next time you feel down, try reaching for a cup of coffee instead of something else entirely.
Fight Inflammation
Chronic inflammation has been linked with everything from heart disease and arthritis to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Luckily, coffee may help fight inflammation thanks to its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. One study showed that people who drank four or more cups of coffee daily had 16% lower levels of CRP—a marker for inflammation—in their blood than those who didn’t drink any coffee.
Consuming is a great way to start your day because of these benefits. But people don’t often realize that this reliance can have negative consequences, especially if you take too much. So let’s take a closer look at some potential downsides of drinking too much coffee.
Dehydration
Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it causes your body to lose water. This can lead to dehydration, mainly if you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day to offset the water lost from coffee consumption. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. So if you find yourself reaching for another cup of coffee mid-afternoon, try drinking a glass of water first and see if that doesn’t help.
Higher Blood Pressure
Another potential consequence of caffeine consumption is an increase in blood pressure. This effect is temporary and will go away once the caffeine wears off, but it’s something to be aware of for people who are already dealing with high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about how caffeine may affect your blood pressure.
Tooth Loss and Dental Infection
Coffee is quite acidic, which means it can do a number on your teeth. Excessive consumption of coffee (or other acidic beverages like soda) can cause enamel erosion, leading to tooth sensitivity and poor oral health. In extreme cases, this may even lead to tooth loss. This can then lead to dental infection in the future. If you’ve lost teeth due to the overconsumption of coffee, you’ll need some robust dental implants. These implants can replace your natural teeth, protecting them from further damage and possibly cancer. However, don’t forget to reduce your consumption of coffee if you don’t want other problems.
Addiction
Because caffeine is a psychoactive substance, it can be addictive. This means that if you regularly drink coffee, you may start to feel like you need it to function correctly. If you need more caffeine to get through the day, or if you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back on coffee, you’re possibly addicted and should consider seeking help.
Anxiety and Restless Sleep
Finally, one of the most common side effects of excessive coffee is anxiety. Caffeine increases your heart rate and can make you feel jittery, leading to worry or even panic attacks in some people. It can also disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to restless nights and fatigue during the day. If you feel anxious or have difficulty sleeping after drinking coffee, it’s best to cut back or stop altogether.
Overall, there are many benefits to drinking coffee regularly, but it is essential to recognize and manage any potential downsides. For example, consider reducing your consumption or switching to decaf if you experience side effects like anxiety or restlessness. And, of course, make sure you’re staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. By doing these things, you can consume coffee without its nasty consequences.
