How Coffee Could Save Your Life
- Date: 2010-07-23 - Word Count: 489
Share This!
It is common knowledge that caffeine helps alleviate tiredness and helps us to stay alert but studies have shown that it also has a notable effect when taken by fully alert subjects. This has been demonstrated at high doses and also in more normal doses which you get when you have a coffee.
This has been extended into a study of late night drivers. The subjects consumed 200mg of caffeinated coffee and drove 200km during early morning or early evening. This was shown to greatly decrease the fatigue that is normally associated with driving at such hours.
The ability of caffeine to help in performing tasks requiring prolonged attention is due to an increased amount of data from stimuli being processed by the brain. This effect in fact has also been shown to have long term benefits as well. In later years cognitive decline can be an issue; however, several tests have been carried out on groups of older generations to map their cognitive decline against caffeine intakes. Only one report found a definite correlation with men, where it did reduce decline, though interestingly, others indicated a much greater effect in women where it made significant reductions in cognitive decline.
There are of course always two sides to an argument and there are many reports of negative effects of coffee and caffeine in the diet. Several commonly reported side effects include sleep disruption, anxiety and addiction. Many of the factors that affect these depend heavily on the amounts of caffeine ingested and each individual's personal sensitivity to caffeine.
Sleep disruption is a common complaint as a side effect of coffee. However, most regular coffee drinkers, who consume caffeine on a daily basis, quickly develop a tolerance (typically within a week) and while it has been shown that consuming a large amount of caffeine late in the evening can interrupt sleep, it is only likely to take an effect in everyday life if the subject is an irregular consumer.
Anxiety from caffeine consumption tends to happen at very high doses of caffeine, generally over a gram, and at this point people will start to experience symptoms. This is more likely to occur in those who drink coffee infrequently and in highly sensitive people.
Addictions to coffee are fairly commonly reported, but this is a somewhat questionable condition since caffeine doesn't interact with the same part of the brain which other typically addictive substances do. The removal of caffeine from the body will, however, cause slight withdrawal symptoms in habitual users due to an increased sensitivity to adenosine. These symptoms can last up to around 5 days and are typically known as a crash.
The conclusion is that while many people are aware of possible dangers of coffee and caffeine in our lives, when taken in sensible amounts it has few or no disadvantages and can help concentration in the short and long term. So next time you're on a long drive; it might just save your life.
This has been extended into a study of late night drivers. The subjects consumed 200mg of caffeinated coffee and drove 200km during early morning or early evening. This was shown to greatly decrease the fatigue that is normally associated with driving at such hours.
The ability of caffeine to help in performing tasks requiring prolonged attention is due to an increased amount of data from stimuli being processed by the brain. This effect in fact has also been shown to have long term benefits as well. In later years cognitive decline can be an issue; however, several tests have been carried out on groups of older generations to map their cognitive decline against caffeine intakes. Only one report found a definite correlation with men, where it did reduce decline, though interestingly, others indicated a much greater effect in women where it made significant reductions in cognitive decline.
There are of course always two sides to an argument and there are many reports of negative effects of coffee and caffeine in the diet. Several commonly reported side effects include sleep disruption, anxiety and addiction. Many of the factors that affect these depend heavily on the amounts of caffeine ingested and each individual's personal sensitivity to caffeine.
Sleep disruption is a common complaint as a side effect of coffee. However, most regular coffee drinkers, who consume caffeine on a daily basis, quickly develop a tolerance (typically within a week) and while it has been shown that consuming a large amount of caffeine late in the evening can interrupt sleep, it is only likely to take an effect in everyday life if the subject is an irregular consumer.
Anxiety from caffeine consumption tends to happen at very high doses of caffeine, generally over a gram, and at this point people will start to experience symptoms. This is more likely to occur in those who drink coffee infrequently and in highly sensitive people.
Addictions to coffee are fairly commonly reported, but this is a somewhat questionable condition since caffeine doesn't interact with the same part of the brain which other typically addictive substances do. The removal of caffeine from the body will, however, cause slight withdrawal symptoms in habitual users due to an increased sensitivity to adenosine. These symptoms can last up to around 5 days and are typically known as a crash.
The conclusion is that while many people are aware of possible dangers of coffee and caffeine in our lives, when taken in sensible amounts it has few or no disadvantages and can help concentration in the short and long term. So next time you're on a long drive; it might just save your life.
Related Tags: coffee, instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee, rich roast coffee, smooth roast coffee
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Make A Great Impression-treat Clients And Visitors To A Cup Of Gourmet Coffee
When a client or guest has to wait to meet with you or someone in your office, it is important to ma - Top Home Espresso Machines: The Jura Z5
While there are many people who claim they could not survive without coffee, there are other people - What Coffee Lovers Should Know About Decaf Coffee
Most Americans love their morning coffee. Even when we are rushing out the door, we still have time - Have You Always Wanted To Make The Perfect Coffee?
Do you have a cup of coffee in the morning to wake you up, and help you feel alive for a long days w - Now You Can Always Make The Perfect Cup Of Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks not just in Australia but all over the world. Whether you d - Come And Enjoy A Sip Of Hot Gourmet Coffee
Amazing, what a great dawn it is! A cup of coffee in the hands and seeing the beautiful morning scen - Austin Happy Hour
Moving to Austin soon? Want to enjoy some tempting Austin fast food? Then try to update your travel - Understanding The Benefits Of The Automatic Coffee Maker
If you're considering purchasing a coffee maker, then you may definitely want to consider an automat - How To Start A Coffee Business
The world's most popular drink is water, followed by soda and then, the unbelievable coffee! Researc - Three Tips For Choosing Your New Espresso Maker
Many people love the rich and indulgent taste of a hot espresso. These concentrated coffee beverages
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Which Keurig Single Cup Brewer Should You Choose?
Keurig single cup brewers are becoming increasingly popular.Why? Because they allow you to brew sing - A Review of Tim Hortons Coffee
I was given the opportunity to try Tim Hortons coffee when I took a vacation in the Great White Nort - Interesting Facts:Coffee Machines
Drinking coffee is a pastime of millions of people all over the world. Coffee machines make it possi - Coffee Grinders Essentials
A true coffee lover won't be satisfied just to buy ground coffee from the market. Storing ground cof - Health Benefits of Coffee
If you are looking for a drug that will lower your risk of developing diabetes, Parkinson's disease - The Birth Of Organic Coffee
Organic coffee drinkers are growing in numbers each year. There are as many different reasons for th - Coffee Grinder Facts
A burr coffee grinder is a coffee grinder that relies on the grinding method to produce ground coffe - How to Tell Which Expresso Machines Are the Best
If you are trying to find the expresso machine that is best for you, you will first have to decide w - Coffee Roasting
Roasting can be done by oven, stove top, gas or wood fired tumbler, hot air popcorn popper, or by ho - Flavored Coffee: A Sensational Lift to Your Next Dinner Party
On almost any occasion flavored coffee can be a delightful compliment to any meal. As someone who h