Have you ever sipped a cup of Nescafe or Bru coffee? There would be hardly any person who would say No! Coffee is that magical brew we rely on to kickstart our mornings and power through late nights. While you may love drinking coffee, taking it too much can have some drawbacks. In this article, we will try to understand the merits and demerits of coffee.
Coffee comes from coffee beans that can be black, dark brown, light brown, and beige. The flavour of coffee is somewhat bitter and the presence of caffeine has a stimulating effect on humans. Some prefer to consume it hot while some love cold coffee. Coffee beans are of two types – C. arabica and C. robusta. Brazil is the leading coffee producer, producing 35-40 per cent of the world’s coffee.
Without further ado, let’s look into the merits of coffee:
Merits of Coffee
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Increases Metabolism
Coffee contains an acid known as chlorogenic acid, which increases the body’s metabolism and helps in weight loss. Drinking caffeinated coffee may reduce the hunger levels of the hormone ghrelin. Chlorogenic acid is also an antioxidant that reduces the risk of Cancer. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, sending signals to the fat cells to break down the fats.
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Increases Energy Levels
Caffeine found in coffee is a stimulant and helps to increase the energy levels. It increases activity in your brain and nervous system. Small doses of caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused. Coffee has antioxidants that help the body fight diseases like heart disease, diabetes and more.
Also Read: Top 10 Benefits of Regular Walking
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Benefits Brain Health
Drinking coffee reduces the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and other mental diseases. It happens because coffee increases dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter which helps reduce the risk of mental diseases. Caffeine increases serotonin and acetylcholine, stimulating the brain and stabilising the blood-brain barrier. Polyphenol micronutrients in coffee prevent tissue damage from free radicals and brain blood vessel damage.
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Helps in Weight Management
Caffeine helps in weight loss by decreasing calorie intake and appetite. Studies show that drinking coffee up to four hours before a meal can reduce energy intake and potentially lead to weight loss. Caffeine can increase calories burned by around 80-150 calories. Clinical studies prove that consuming caffeine before doing exercises increases fat utilisation.
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Other Benefits
It reduces the risk of kidney stones and liver diseases, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by obesity and type 2 diabetes. Drinking coffee reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Demerits Of Coffee
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Coffee Causes Insomnia
In today’s stressful times, people take the help of coffee to remain alert and awake. The potential side effects of drinking coffee are jitteriness, headaches, and nervousness. It can interfere with sleep, especially if consumed too late in the day. Caffeine affects the brain by blocking the sleep-promoting chemical produced in the brain during waking hours. Caffeine consumption daily can lead to insomnia.
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Coffee Causes Anxiety
Anxiety includes the constant feeling of worry, agitation, and being tense. Some studies reveal that excessive caffeine consumption can lead to symptoms similar to conditions like sleep and anxiety disorders, increasing hostility, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms.
Also Read: 10 Effective Natural Remedies For Anxiety
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Coffee Causes Acidity
Having one or two cups of coffee doesn’t affect the body much but having too much coffee can lead to acidity and heartburn. Coffee relaxes your oesophagal sphincter and it causes acid reflux. It can exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux, gastric ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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Coffee Is Bad During Pregnancy
Monitoring what you eat and drink during pregnancy is crucial for the baby. A cup of coffee can relax you but can harm your child. The pregnant mother can have one or two cups of coffee, not more than that. Drinking lots of coffee during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. Excessive consumption may also increase blood pressure and heart rate, which is not favourable for the child.
Also Read: 12 Major Care Tips to Follow During Pregnancy
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Coffee Is Addictive
Drinking too much coffee can cause caffeine addiction. With time, your caffeine intake might increase to achieve alertness and concentration. If you suddenly stop drinking coffee, you suffer from withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Summing Up
Coffee is everyone’s saviour. It makes you alert and helps you continue your work without the risk of falling asleep. However, drinking too much coffee can cause health issues. Therefore, you should consume only a minimum amount of caffeine in a day.
