Coffee is one of the most loved beveragesthe world over. No matter what part of the globe you are into, you can always find a place that serves coffee. The strange effect of coffee in keeping you awake has flabbergasted many coffee-lovers over the years.
Many people use coffee as a medium to let them stay alert and awake for longer. Remember the days when you are too tired but need to finish off an assignment? What beverage do you think of first before anything else? Coffee! Am I right?
But have you wondered how does coffee keep you awake?
The answer lies in understanding a little more about coffee from a scientific viewpoint. The natural caffeine ingredient is found in coffee beans, tea, and many other plants.The coming sections will explain in detail the remarkable effect of coffee on our brain receptors.
The Role of Caffeine
Whether you drink a brewed coffee or an espresso, knowing your coffee before consuming it would help you become a smart consumer. If you would like to learn more about your brewed coffee, refer to this site: Brewed Coffee Guide. More importantly, study the amount of caffeine in your coffee.
Caffeine is basically a stimulant that makes our brain more alert. That is one of the major reasons why people jump from their bed’s first thing in the morning to look for their coffee. The same happens when you take a break from work and grab that cup of coffee to bring back the energy and concentration.
To understand why this happens, we need to understand the adenosine compound. Our body naturally releases this compound. Regular daytime activities or brain and body releases adenosine.
When the adenosine binds to our brain receptors, it signals the body to relax and feel tired. You may conduce that it even induces us to sleep. The more you work (mentally or physically), the more adenosine is released. This results in tiredness and eventually puts our body to relax and sleep.
To feel fresh and energetic again, the body needs rest or sleep. During our sleep or rest, the body metabolises adenosine.If the adenosine is metabolised completely, we wake up fresh. However, if you do not get enough sleep, the adenosine does not metabolise completely, and you wake up tired.
So, where does coffee come into the picture?
Remember, we mentioned that coffee buffs try to get a hold of their coffee first thing in the morning? Now, there is a very rational explanation for this.
Coffee is one such beverage that is quickly absorbed and disturbed throughout all the parts of your body. And it includes your brain too!
When caffeine enters our bloodstream, it blocks the receptors that normally bind the adenosine. It elucidates that your brain cannot signal your body to rest, relax or sleep. Moreover, caffeine induces the brain to release dopamine, serotonin and adrenalin.
Now, these compounds have the opposite effect of adenosine. They make you feel energised, happy and fresh. And that is how coffee or more specifically caffeine keeps you awake.
But for how long does this effect last?
It is quite simple to understand this phenomenon. Just as adenosine metabolises in your body, caffeine metabolises after intake of coffee. Soon as your body finishes metabolising the caffeine, its impact reduces, and you start feeling sleepy and tired again.
Complete metabolising of caffeine would mean that your receptors are vacant again, and the adenosine now rushes to these receptors. It sends an immediate signal to your body about exhaustion, and you start feeling drowsy or tired.
What if you consume more and more coffee?
The effect of caffeine on everyone’s body is different since it depends on your genes and several other factors. However, overconsumption of caffeine is never advisable.
If you are a coffee lover, a gradual increase in coffee intake will make you tolerant of its effect. It means that now you will have to keep increasing the intake to get the same kick.
Consuming an unusually high amount of coffee might do more harm. Common side effects of high consumption are being too jumpy, upset or constipated stomach, anxiety, headache, increased heartbeats, etc.
Always be watchful of the amount of caffeine intake. Some have better resistance to it, while others find it difficult to digest. Depending on your body’s biology, you need to limit your coffee intake and consume it sensibly.
Final Words
Anything consumed in moderation is acceptable, and the same goes for coffee. Although coffee might help you get through difficult days, making it a habit may not be healthy.
Making coffee a regular part of your routine in a balanced manner can lead to various health benefits. Some proven advantages of coffee consumption are linked to helping people with Alzheimer’s and liver ailments.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading this write-up elucidating on the process of how the coffee helps you stay awake.