Coffee is loved world-wide for its rich taste and energizing effects. But what does coffee actually do to us and is it healthy to be drinking so much?
Benefits
Coffee has been widely debated whether it’s actually healthy or not. Coffee in itself has many health benefits. It is high in antioxidants, which aids in stopping and breaking down chemicals that can damage cells in the body. It contains caffeine which is absorbed into the body and travels to the brain where is acts as a stimulant by improving energy, memory, reaction time, and mood. Coffee also contains nutrients such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin B5, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium, and Vitamin B3.
Adverse Effects
The predominate issues associated with coffee are linked to the caffeine levels rather than the coffee itself. Caffeine sensitivities are fairly common, where the body breaks down caffeine slower. People with sensitivities have increased risk of jittery feelings, palpitations, and insomnia related to caffeine use. For everyone, caffeine consumption can disrupt sleeping habits. Caffeine is also an addictive substance – lowering consumption too quickly or stopping all together can cause serious headaches and drowsiness.
Caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption and therefor has a negative impact on children and adolescence whose bones are still developing. It can also affect a child’s brain more than an adult’s which can lead to nervousness, hyperactivity, and sleep problems. Caffeine is found in a wide range of food and drinks. 400 mg and less is usually a safe range of caffeine consumption for adults per day.
| Name | Size | Caffeine Content(mg) * |
|---|---|---|
| Brewed Coffee | 250 ml | 95 – 165 |
| Decaf Coffee | 250 ml | 2 – 5 |
| Espresso | 30 ml | 45 – 65 |
| Instant Coffee | 250 ml | 63 |
| Latte | 250 ml | 65 – 125 |
| Black Tea | 250 ml | 25 – 50 |
| Green Tea | 250 ml | 25 – 30 |
| Herbal tea | 250 ml | 0 |
| Cola | 250 ml | 25 – 50 |
| Energy Drink | 250 ml | 27 – 165 |
| Hot Chocolate | 250 ml | 15 |
*Caffeine Content is average
Overall, coffee does have many benefits including improving focus and wakefulness and supplying antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to the body. The main harmful effects come from the high caffeine amounts present in coffee, which can cause hyperactivity and insomnia and adverse effects in developing and growing bodies. With most things it is important to enjoy in moderation, knowing both the benefits and possible disadvantages of anything you ingest.
By Hannah Reynn
Also, please check out our Caffeine informational poster: https://devcogroup.com/product/caffeine-poster/