Getting to Know Caffeine in Coffee: How It Affects Our Body
Caffeine is a substance found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and energy drinks. Coffee is one of the most popular sources of caffeine. Many people drink coffee regularly every morning to feel alert, awake, and focused. However, caffeine has both advantages and disadvantages. If consumed in appropriate amounts, caffeine can provide health benefits, but excessive consumption may lead to side effects on the body. Let's get to know caffeine in coffee and its effects on the body better.
How Much Caffeine is in Coffee and What Factors Determine It?
1. Type of Coffee Beans
Robusta coffee beans have about twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. Instant coffee usually uses Robusta beans primarily, while ground roasted coffee mostly uses Arabica beans.
2. Brewing Method
Espresso-brewed coffee has a higher concentration of caffeine than drip-brewed coffee because more caffeine is extracted in a shorter time.
3. Amount of Coffee per Cup
An 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine, but a large 12-16 ounce cup from a coffee shop can have 150-200 milligrams of caffeine.
Benefits of Caffeine
1. Improves Brain Function
Caffeine stimulates the brain to be alert, focused, and improves thinking and decision-making abilities. It helps increase efficiency in work and study.
2. Increases Endurance, Reduces Fatigue
Caffeine helps reduce drowsiness and makes you feel energetic, making it suitable for those who have to work long hours or travel long distances.
3. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Some studies have found that regular coffee consumption helps reduce the risk of heart failure and irregular heartbeat.
4. Prevents Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Caffeine helps slow down the degeneration of nerve cells and reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Disadvantages of Caffeine
1. Addiction
If you drink coffee regularly every day, your body will develop a caffeine addiction. When you don't drink it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue.
2. Difficulty Sleeping
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system in the body. If consumed in the afternoon or evening, its effects may persist until bedtime, making it difficult to fall asleep, sleep lightly, and not get fully rested.
3. Stomach Pain, Acid Reflux
Caffeine stimulates the secretion of acid in the stomach, which can cause stomach pain and acid reflux, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.
4. Dehydration
Caffeine has a diuretic effect, causing the body to lose water and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if you don't drink additional water.
Appropriate Amount of Caffeine
Healthy adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day without adverse health effects, which is equivalent to 4 cups of black coffee per day. However, those with chronic diseases, pregnant women, or nursing mothers should limit their consumption to no more than 200 milligrams per day. Children and teenagers should not drink coffee. For those who are particularly sensitive to caffeine, even one cup of coffee can cause side effects. This group of people should avoid drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
What Happens if You are Sensitive to Caffeine?
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Even drinking a small amount of coffee can cause heart palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Some may experience dizziness, nausea, and stomach pain. For those with stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, or arrhythmia, caffeine can worsen these conditions. Therefore, people in this group should abstain from or limit their coffee consumption, or choose decaffeinated drinks instead.
Caffeine in coffee has both benefits and drawbacks for the body. If consumed in appropriate amounts, caffeine can help you feel refreshed, improve work efficiency, and reduce the risk of disease. However, if you drink too much or have a condition that is sensitive to caffeine, it can have side effects on your physical and mental health. Drinking 1-2 cups of coffee per day, at appropriate times, avoiding it in the evening or at night, and drinking additional water will help you get the most benefit from caffeine in coffee while minimizing side effects.
View the PunThai Coffee menu near you at PunThai Coffee. You can order at your nearest PunThai shop or simply order through a delivery app and have it delivered straight to you immediately.
