Proven: coffee stimulates mental activity and improves performance. But the drink has disadvantages and contraindications: dehydration, increased blood pressure. BeautyHack understands who can drink when and how much coffee.
Vladlen Pisarev
Psychotherapist. Studied Gestalt therapy at the Moscow Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Counseling
“The main contraindications for drinking coffee: diseases of the cardiovascular system and nervous hyperexcitability. The drink does not officially refer to a psychostimulant, but in fact it is. Caffeine stimulates the production of serotonin (the hormone of joy) and is addictive. Refusal from coffee is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms: dizziness, nausea, drowsiness. But it also has many positive properties: stimulation of brain activity, concentration of attention and others. If there are no contraindications to drinking coffee, one cup a day will definitely not harm
pros
Stimulates mental activity. Caffeine improves blood circulation by stimulating the brain. German scientists have proven that a cup of coffee increases productivity by 10%, but only if you eat well. Coffee on an empty stomach has the opposite effect, turning off the brain.
Reduces the risk of developing gallstones and. Caffeine prevents the crystallization of cholesterol (the main "component" of stones), accelerates the outflow of bile and the rate of lipid breakdown. One cup a day is a good prevention of gallstone disease, in the absence of contraindications to coffee.
Protects against radiation. This conclusion was made by Indian scientists after a series of studies. Doctors recommend 2 cups of coffee a day for those who constantly work with radiation sources: radiologists, radiologists.
Helps fight depression. Coffee is a great antidepressant. It stimulates the production of serotonin, the hormone of joy. A cup a day reduces the risk of depression in half.
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Joint studies by Finnish and Swedish scientists have shown that middle-aged people who regularly drink up to 5 cups of coffee a day are 65% less likely to suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Later this was confirmed by American experts, with one amendment: the substance that prevents these diseases is not caffeine. What gives this effect remains to be seen.
Increases attention. 75 mlg. caffeine improves concentration by three times. But doctors warn: you should not abuse this method! Coffee is no substitute for good sleep.
Improves memory. Are you surprised? Scientists at Johns Hopkins University set up an experiment on students. They were divided into two groups. One drank several cups of coffee a day during the exam session. The second is not. Students who drank coffee were better and faster at memorizing the study material.
Prevention of eye disease. Caffeine - prevention of blepharospasm (continuous blinking caused by dysfunction of the brain). It also prevents the development of cataracts.
Minuses
Physically addictive. A large group of activist scientists advocate adding caffeine to the list of narcotic substances. They are convinced that the drink causes psychological and physical dependence, stimulating the production of serotonin. But chocolate has the same property, affecting the pleasure center.
Coffee is indeed physically addictive. Withdrawal from caffeine is accompanied by headache, drowsiness, decreased concentration, irritability, nausea, and distraction. Doctors recommend gradually removing it from the diet. Coffee does not cause addiction and psychological dependence!
Leads to depletion of nerve cells. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system. Due to the constant being in an excited state, nerve cells are depleted faster.
Increases acidity. Caffeine irritates the stomach and lining of the small intestine, increasing acidity. It is contraindicated in ulcers, gastritis and Crohn's disease (inflammatory lesions of the gastrointestinal tract). Coffee can also cause heartburn and flatulence.
Interferes with the absorption of minerals. Caffeine interferes with the absorption of iron and removes calcium from the body (a deficiency is the cause of osteoporosis), zinc, magnesium and other minerals. Doctors recommend coffee lovers to include in the diet foods rich in these microelements and take vitamin complexes.
Strengthens cardiac activity. Caffeine acts on the vasomotor center, speeding up the pulse and increasing blood pressure. The drink is contraindicated for arterial hypertension, tachycardia, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Who? When? How many?
Most researchers have concluded that a safe "dose" of coffee is 1-2 cups a day. Doctors advise drinking the drink in the morning and not on an empty stomach.
Give up instant coffee - it contains several times more caffeine, harmful flavors, dyes and preservatives.
