An astounding 83 percent of American adults drink coffee daily as a survey by the National Coffee Association discovered. That is a whopping 587 million cups of coffee, yet still, many do not have the complete picture of how coffee affects their body.
For many, coffee is simply an integral part of their morning ritual and as long as it kick-starts the body, they are not bothered to know more. So, what really happens to your body after you drink a cup of coffee?
1. Coffee can aggravate blood pressure
Around ten minutes after drinking a cup of coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the blood stream. The blood pressure increases mildly which causes an increase in awareness and body temperature.
If it has been a while since you took a cup of coffee, the impact is more amplified and you may feel as if you are a little high.
If you take several cups, your heart rate rises and according to experts, this may pose a health hazard if you have heart-related conditions such as heart disease or an abnormal heart rate.
2. A little coffee can improve your cognitive and brain function
Twenty minutes after taking a cup of coffee, you will notice an increase in alertness and focus. Your ability to tackle cognitive tasks that demand attention increases and you are less likely to make a mistake.
It might, therefore, be a good idea to take a cup of coffee before explaining that complex report in the next boardroom meeting!
3. It has stimulating effects
Coffee triggers the release of adrenaline, the hormone responsible for fight or flight’ after around thirty minutes which causes dilation of the pupils and sharpening of the vision.
Though not proven scientifically, drinking coffee is also thought to cause a slight increase in aggression for some. So, if you always feel like getting into a fight after taking coffee, reduce your consumption.
4. Coffee helps you build muscles faster
After around forty minutes, the caffeine increases the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin facilitates muscle movement by assisting in the relay of signals between motor neurons which leads to an increment in strength. Taking coffee before a bodybuilding workout is, therefore, a good idea.
5. An easy and automatic weight loss option
Coffee increases energy levels by increasing the pace with which your body cells release energy. The body commences the process of breaking down stored body fats to provide energy regardless of whether you are moving or not. If you take your coffee with sugar, the energy effect is further compounded.
Read also: Coffee puns and coffee jokes
6. It will keep you feeling positive
Coffee has been shown to improve mood. It triggers the brain to release the feel-good hormone dopamine which leads to feelings of happiness, relaxation, and general wellness. If you are a guy, now you know why taking a lady out on a coffee date is a good idea.
7. It is good for your lungs
Caffeine causes the lungs to open up more increasing air intake and energy levels. Caffeine has been proven to be similar to theophylline, which is a drug administered to patients with breathing difficulties to help them breathe. However, do not go around prescribing coffee to everyone having difficulty in breathing.
8. Coffee increases bowel movements
According to reports from some people, coffee consumption instigates the need to visit the bathroom after a mere 5 minutes!
This effect is supported by research since some compounds in coffee have been found to induce bowel movement – so, it might not be a good idea to take that cup of coffee before travelling, hiking or presenting that complex report in the next boardroom meeting.
9. It could alter your sleeping patterns
Unless you plan to stay awake late into the night strategising how to get back at your ex, do not consume coffee late in the evening. It interferes with the hormone melatonin which is the body’s main sleep hormone.
Essentially, coffee delays the natural body clock by holding up the release of melatonin which fluctuates in the body to determine natural sleeping patterns.
Experts advice that the best time to take coffee should be an hour after waking up — when the cortisol levels in the body have reduced.
Furthermore, doctors propose that coffee should not be taken on an empty stomach because it promotes the production of gastric juices which over time may cause irritation of the stomach lining especially if you have stomach conditions like ulcers. However, taking coffee after a meal is advised since it promotes digestion.