The Effects Of Caffeine On The Body: Pros And Cons

Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by Lori Geurin

Drinking coffee has been a part of everyday living for most, if not everyone. The addictive taste and aroma, and the relaxing feeling it can bring to people make this a primary choice for those who are stressed out or looking for extra energy to boost their day and become more productive. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the effects caffeine can have on your health.

Effects Of Caffeine On Your Body: The Good And The Bad

The Good Effects Of Caffeine

There are many good reasons why one would continue taking caffeine or coffee in particular. Below are a few of the beneficial effects you can get from caffeine.

1. Drinking Coffee Increases Your Fiber Intake

A study shows that coffee has soluble fiber, the cellulose found both in apples and oatmeal, that helps digestion, aids in the vital nutrient absorption of the body, and keeps a lid on cholesterol.

Drinking a cup of coffee, specifically brewed, represents a contribution of around 1.8 grams of fiber.

Take 20 to 38 grams of fiber daily to fulfill the daily recommendations. Just keep in mind that this should not all come from coffee. Nevertheless, taking a cup or two can help you sustain or complete the recommended amount of fiber intake.

2. Caffeine Reduces Suicide Risk And Depression

According to studies performed by researchers at HSPH (Harvard School of Public Health), drinking several cups of coffee seem to reduce suicide risk for both men and women by about 50%. Caffeine, which is highly active in coffee, may work as a mild antidepressant, as it boosts the production of different neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin.

Although helpful, researchers do not recommend depressed adults increase their caffeine consumption too easily because people may adjust their intake to an optimal level and sudden or too much increase could result in unpleasant side effects.

3. Reduces Colorectal Cancer Risk

You may choose to drink decaf, black coffee, even half-caff or instant. Whatever you choose to consume may help decrease the possible risk of colorectal cancer, as per a recent study. It was found that the more coffee you drink, the lower the risk you may face colorectal cancer.

Drinking a cup or two of coffee may reduce the possibility of developing colorectal cancer by 26%. And the risk of colorectal cancer may decrease to possibly up to 50% if you’re taking 2.5 cups of coffee in a day. The sign of decreased risk is observed in all types of coffee, both decaffeinated and caffeinated.

This particular conclusion was gathered by Stephen Gruber, the director of the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, together with the senior authors of this particular study.

The Bad Effects Of Caffeine On Your Body

Anything taken more than recommended may result in negative effects. Each body has its own requirements. So, it is right to calculate BMR, consult a specialist, or know your limit before you decide to adjust your coffee intake.

Below are a few negative effects that caffeine may bring to your body:

1. Caffeine May Cause Insomnia

All around the world, people take caffeine, not only coffee but tea, chocolate, cocoa, and some soft drinks. Since caffeine is a known stimulant, most people take caffeine, mostly coffee, after waking up or to stay alert all throughout the day.

Although you need to know that coffee cannot replace sleep, it can temporarily make you feel more alert as it blocks the sleep-inducing chemicals in your brain and increases adrenaline production.

Too much coffee consumption may result in insomnia; because it is a stimulant it impedes sleep. Having trouble staying asleep or falling asleep are two of the things one may experience.

2. Caffeine Can Cause Headaches

Caffeine does not directly cause a headache. However, too much consumption of the substance triggers ‘coffee rebound’. A rebound headache happens from the withdrawal of caffeine once the sufferer continues to consume a high volume of the substance.

If you experience this dilemma, it’s recommended that you contact a specialist promptly to be treated and not worsen.

Related: 10 Signs You’re Having A Migraine

3. Caffeine Can Cause Indigestion

Indigestion can be experienced when you consume caffeine, particularly coffee. Coffee may increase stomach acid production, which can lead to indigestion as one of its normal side effects. This symptom should only last for a few hours. If the symptom persists you need to contact your doctor.

Summary – The Effects Of Caffeine

Just like anything you consume, not limited to only caffeine, too much consumption can serve you bad side effects. There are good things caffeine, coffee to be specific, can bring to your body.

You do not need to completely stop consuming something that can bring your body good. It is only necessary that you take it in the right amounts.

Seek professional advice if you feel worse from taking caffeine. Ask about the right amount your body can consume to make sure you get all the benefits of coffee and not the other way around.

Do you like to drink coffee or tea? Have you experienced any benefits of caffeine?

Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

If you enjoyed this, you’ll want to check out:

• Healthy Coffee Drink (With Coconut Oil) Recipe
• 5 Good Reasons To Drink Coffee Every Day For Better Health
• 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Coffee
• Home Remedies For Burns, Multitasking And How I Survived A Coffee Explosion

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Guest Author – Michael Morelli