Morning Coffee Isn’t Just About Caffeine
Scientists have discovered that the buzz you get from your morning coffee is more complicated than first thought.
Many of us joke about needing our “caffeine hit” to kickstart the day or tackle a challenging task. However, true coffee aficionados and scientists alike are discovering that a good cup of coffee involves more than just its caffeine content.
While caffeine, which is also found naturally in tea and cocoa, plays a significant role, it’s only part of the story. Researchers at the University of Minho School of Medicine in Portugal used MRI scans to study 83 individuals before and after their morning coffee.
Among these volunteers, 47 were scanned before and 30 minutes after drinking coffee, while the remaining 36 were given caffeine diluted in hot water and underwent the same scans. The results showed decreased activity in a part of the brain associated with resting states for both groups after their drink. This indicated that all the volunteers were more prepared to start their day and interact with others.
However, the scans also revealed that drinking coffee specifically increased activity in brain regions involved in short-term memory, attention, and focus, an effect not seen with caffeine alone. This suggests that the sensory experience of coffee – its sight, smell, and taste – might contribute to its stimulating effects, beyond the caffeine content.
Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, explained that the visual appeal of coffee might evoke positive memories or beliefs. “The visual impact of coffee is powerful,” she said. “It could be like, ‘Oh, I think there’s something that gives me energy now. I’m going to have something that gives me that second wind I need at work or to study.’”
The Big Question: Is Coffee Healthy?
There is some evidence that coffee, when consumed in moderation, can be beneficial to health. According to the Mayo Clinic, coffee may offer protection against Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart attack, and stroke. However, the clinic also warns that coffee’s high caffeine content can temporarily raise blood pressure.
Dr. Donald Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic advises that “women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding need to be cautious about caffeine. High intake of boiled, unfiltered coffee has been associated with a mild increase in cholesterol levels.”
Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, stated, “The overall evidence has been pretty convincing that coffee has been more healthful than harmful in terms of health outcomes. For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.”
If you have any concerns about your coffee intake, it’s always best to consult your general practitioner or another health professional