Coffee is one of the most popularly chosen beverages globally, whether hot or cold. Coffee consists of caffeine which provides benefits and some drawbacks as well. Caffeine is usually not advised for consumption by young children, which is why most parents do not allow their kids to drink coffee. However, coffee is quite popular among teenagers, especially students. Many students claim that drinking coffee helps them study better and gives them the energy to function actively for a long time.
Moreover, the caffeine which the coffee consists of can be disruptive to the brain’s regular activity in many cases and boost it up in other cases. Caffeine improves certain brain functions, such as mood, attention, general mental function, etc. It happens because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system of our brain when releasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is known as the happy hormone. The hormone is responsible for maintaining our mood and feelings. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for our positive feelings. It also blocks the neurotransmitter adenosine, which is responsible for our sleeping. It is the reason why students often prefer having a large amount of coffee during their exams. Coffee can help an individual stay energised and improve their performance but up to an optimum level. Optimum level refers to the limit up to which something is beneficial, and beyond that level, it starts declining. Similarly, coffee’s energy and increased performance does not work when consumed in a larger quantity.
Caffeine is also known to help with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a nervous system disease that causes memory loss and cognition issues. And Parkinson’s disease also a disorder of the central nervous system disrupting muscular movement and causing continuous body tremors. Some studies state that caffeine stimulates the central nervous system in secreting hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which also play an essential role in muscle movement and memory. Consuming caffeine can stimulate the secretion of these hormones reducing the chances of developing any two diseases. But it should not be counted as a treatment if an individual has symptoms of the disorders. Studies are still being conducted as it is not the same for many cases, and it is not the form of treatment either; it is just an effect of caffeine.
Consuming too much coffee is dangerous for an individual’s health. It can cause side effects, such as restlessness, upset stomach, gastric, insomnia, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate etc. Long term usage of caffeine can lead to irritability, diarrhoea, fertility problems, nausea, vomiting etc. Consuming too much caffeine makes an individual more prone to the health issues mentioned above. However, it is not limited to these problems only, and it can cause many other problems depending on case to case. It is advised to drink coffee in a limited amount to avoid any health issues. If any symptoms are identified due to caffeine usage, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
