Helpful
Improved Alertness and Concentration: Caffeine is known for its ability to enhance alertness, concentration, and cognitive function. It can be beneficial when you need a temporary boost in mental performance, such as during work or study sessions.
Enhanced Physical Performance: Caffeine can increase adrenaline levels, which may enhance physical performance. Athletes often use caffeine before workouts or competitions to improve endurance and reduce perceived effort.
Mood Enhancement: Some people find that moderate caffeine intake can improve mood and reduce the risk of depression. It may stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Headache Relief: Caffeine is an ingredient in some over-the-counter pain relievers, as it can enhance the effectiveness of certain medications and provide relief from headaches or migraines.
Antioxidant Properties: Coffee and tea, two common sources of caffeine, contain antioxidants that may have health benefits. Moderate coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of certain diseases.
Harmful
Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances: Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep. Consuming it too close to bedtime may lead to difficulty falling asleep, disrupted sleep patterns, and overall poor sleep quality.
Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Excessive caffeine intake can lead to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which may pose risks for individuals with certain cardiovascular conditions.
Anxiety and Jitters: High doses of caffeine can cause feelings of anxiety, jitteriness, and nervousness. Individuals with anxiety disorders may be more sensitive to these effects.
Dependency and Withdrawal: Regular consumption of caffeine can lead to dependence, and abrupt cessation may result in withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue.
Digestive Issues: Excessive caffeine intake can contribute to digestive issues such as acid reflux, stomach upset, and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Here’s a wake-up call: If you’re sleep deprived, a recent study from Michigan State University suggests caffeine may not be the productivity booster many people believe it to be. The scientists found that while caffeine may make you more alert and focused, it won’t help you do your best thinking. Specifically, lack of sleep had a negative effect on cognitive functions associated with problem-solving, multi-tasking, and impulse inhibition. And “for a large number of participants,” consuming caffeine didn’t make up for the shortfall in shuteye. That doesn’t mean caffeine offers zero benefits. But with or without caffeine, your work is likely to be sloppier after a poor night’s sleep, say the researchers.
What’s more, lack of sleep can make you grumpier in your social relationships, more frustrated in daily life, and less able to manage your feelings and emotions—all of which can seriously mess with your eating behaviors. While some people don’t need as much sleep as others, what you’ve probably been told is a good guideline: The vast majority of adults need seven to nine hours of shuteye a night.
PMID: 34014758
Stepan ME, Altmann EM, Fenn KM.
J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 2021 May 20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/xlm0001023
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Payden Montgomery, Co-Owner
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