Do you always start the day with a steaming cup of hot coffee? With milk, sugar, ordinary black, extra strong, cappuccino, latte, or an espresso: coffee is almost indispensable in our culture.
Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulating substance that is quickly absorbed by the body. Caffeine reaches his peak level in the blood within half an hour to an hour after drinking a cup of coffee. According to the Nutrition Center, caffeine blocks the effect of adenosine, which is a substance that makes you sleepy. This makes you feel more alert and more energetic. In addition, caffeine stimulates the production of dopamine, a substance that gives a sense of reward and motivation.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) can improve the concentration and responsiveness three to four cups a day. In addition, research by Harvard University shows that drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
That is all what happens to your brain when you drink coffee. But coffee also has an effect on the rest of your body, according to research by the Nutrition Center and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Caffeine speeds up the heartbeat and temporarily increases blood pressure, especially in people who are not used to drinking coffee regularly. This effect is usually of short duration, because the body adapts to regular consumption. In addition, coffee stimulates the production of stomach acid, which in some people can lead to stomach complaints or heartburn.
Caffeine is a stimulating substance that influences the central nervous system and can lead to physical dependence on regular use. Although caffeine addiction is not harmful in the same way as, for example, an alcohol or nicotine addiction, some people experience it as annoying to be dependent on coffee to feel energetic and alert.
Some people choose to stop coffee. For example, there are people who notice that they suffer from stomach complaints, an increased heartbeat or sleeping problems due to the caffeine. Others want to be less dependent on a stimulating agent or experience that they feel more even and less hunted during the day without coffee. In addition, caffeine addiction can be a reason to stop coffee.
The Trimbos Institute reports that common complaints are headaches, fatigue and irritability. This is because your brain has to get used to the lack of caffeine. These complaints usually last a few days to a week.
On the positive side, it can stop coffee in some people lead to better sleep quality and fewer stomach complaints. Natural energy management can also recover, making you less dependent on caffeine to feel alert.
Research published in Psychopharmacology It appears that these withdrawal symptoms usually disappear within a week. Then the energy level stabilizes, and some people even experience a better night’s sleep because caffeine can disturb sleep quality.
Coffee has both positive and negative effects on the body and brain. Moderate use can offer benefits for alertness and health, while excessive use can lead to sleeping problems and dependence. Stopping coffee can cause temporary withdrawal symptoms, but often leads to a more stable energy level in the long term.
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