Coffee Overload
By Margo Salinger
Have you noticed how a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks has seemed to pop up on every corner? Local coffee shops have doubled in numbers, and bottled coffee drinks are flying off the shelves. The National coffee Association found in 2000 that 54% of the U.S. adult population drinks coffee daily. But just how much coffee is too much?
How does Coffee Work?
Coffee is said to give us an energy jolt, keeping us awake and moving during our overloaded days. But what makes coffee work? Caffeine, the main ingredient, is a natural product found in coffee beans. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that normally causes a calming effect in the body. (OverCaffeinated.org, 2008). Because of this block, our adrenal glands pump adrenaline giving us that boost. The boost consists of a faster heart rate, tightened muscles and extra glucose in the blood.
Caffeine and its Effect on the Body : The Downside
As I stand in line for my afternoon coffee, I wonder how much is too much? What are the benefits and downsides of my coffee consumption? Along with millions of Americans, my body is being altered by the caffeine stimulant in the coffee. This stimulant can become addictive and due to its effects on the body, make one become jittery and anxious. Another downside of coffee is its ability to wear off, causing consumers to experience a “low” or withdrawal.
Sleep issues are also a side effect of too much coffee as our body can not naturally calm ourselves, therefore shortening our sleep time and ultimately, making us abuse our coffee consumption the day following. Finally, a small percentage of our population should be aware to avoid coffee consumption if they already have an increased heart beat or are pregnant due to it’s effect on the body systems.
Caffeine and its Effect on the Body: The Upside
Good News! Caffeine is said to speed up metabolism. Also, as Elizabeth Scott writes for Stress Management on About.com, it can help the body break down fat about 30% more efficiently if consumed prior to exercise. Additionally, caffeine can keep blood sugar levels elevated, leaving you feeling less hungry (Scott, 2007).
Looking for even better news? Professor’s house, an online journal published an article entitled “Health Effects of Coffee” which stated, new therapeutic uses of caffeine and coffee are being introduced to health care practices. Premature babies and newborns that have undergone surgery are given caffeine to stimulate breathing, and it is thought that caffeine can be used to help asthma patients because it works to dilate airways (Professor’s House).
So How Much Is too Much?
So far research has not provided us coffee drinkers with a set amount that’s safe to drink. However, be wise coffee connoisseur, Elizabeth Scotts warns us that risk of physical dependence that can come with four cups of coffee or more each day (Scott, 2007.) The American Heart Association says that moderate coffee drinking (one or two cups per day) does not seem to be harmful for most people.
So order up a Venti Latte this morning and cheers your barista, for coffee lovers unite to continue the cycle. With fair advisement, coffee does alter your body, both good and bad, and more importantly, alters your wallet.
Works Cited:
Caffeine and It’s Effects on the Body. Retrieved Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Health Effects of Coffee. Retrieved April 6, 2011, from Publisher’s House,http://www.professorshouse.com/Food-Beverage/Beverages/Hot-Drinks/Articles/Health-Effects-of-Coffee/.
Scott, Elizabeth, M.S (2001, November 1) Stress and Your Health: Is Caffeine Your Friend or Your Foe? Retrieved from http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/caffeine.htm.
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