The energy boost provided by a cup of coffee cannot be recreated with ordinary caffeine, according to a recent study that discovered extra regions of the brain activated by the hot beverage.
It is a drink, which millions of people worldwide refuse to start their day without, has been shown to increase alertness.
Researchers from the University of Minho in Portugal investigated if the wakefulness effect of drink is only due to caffeine qualities or if other variables are at work.
According to the study published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, pure caffeine only partially replicated the benefits of drinking a cup.
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While caffeine increases alertness in parts of the brain, it also affects regions of the brain that regulate working memory and goal-directed behavior.
Many people believe that drinking coffee makes you more awake and helps you perform better physically and mentally.”When you gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying a biological phenomenon, you open up avenues for investigating the factors that may modulate it, as well as the potential benefits of that mechanism,” research co-author Nuno Sousa stated.
People who consumed at least one cup per day were recruited and requested not to eat or drink caffeinated drinks for at least three hours before the trial.
After collecting the participants’ social and demographic information, they had two short MRI brain scans – one before and one 30 minutes after either consuming caffeine or drinking a standardized cup.
The participants were told to relax and let their minds wander throughout the scans.
According to researchers, coffee and caffeine use reduce neuronal connection in the brain’s default mode network, which involves introspection and self-reflection processes.
According to the researchers, this shift might imply that people are more prepared to transition from resting to working on activities.
They did say, however, that drinking coffee may have other advantages, such as boosting connection in the brain’s more advanced nerve network governing vision and other areas involved in working memory, cognitive control, and goal-directed behavior.
When participants merely drank caffeine, these effects were not observed.
In other words, if you want to feel awake but also ready to go, more than caffeine is needed, according to the experts.
The researchers found that when people drank coffee, it caused a decrease in the connections between different parts of their brain’s default mode network. This network is responsible for our thoughts about ourselves and what we’re doing when we’re not actively engaged in any particular task.
According to the study’s limitations, researchers could not uncover any advantages coffee consumers say are attributable to reducing withdrawal symptoms.
The new studies also reveal that, while caffeine-based drinks share some of the effects of coffee, drinking coffee has some distinct advantages.
These may include variables like the drink’s specific scent and flavor and the psychological anticipation linked with its consumption.
Here are 9 unique benefits of coffee
1. Boosts energy levels
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant known for its ability to combat weariness and improve energy levels.
Caffeine works by blocking a neurotransmitter called adenosine in your brain. This leads to an increase in other neurotransmitters like dopamine, which control your energy levels.
According to some research, caffeine consumption increased time to exhaustion during a cycling workout by 12% and considerably lowered subjective feelings of fatigue in participants.
Another study found that drinking caffeine before and during a game of golf boosted performance, raised personal energy levels, and decreased sensations of exhaustion.
2. May be Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
According to several studies, drinking coffee daily may reduce the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes in the long run.
Indeed, an analysis of 30 research showed that each cup of drunk per day was associated with a 6% decreased chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes.
This is assumed to be owing to coffee’s capacity to protect the function of your pancreas’s beta cells, which manufacture insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
It’s also high in antioxidants and may influence insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolism, all linked to type 2 diabetes development.
3. Could support brain health
Although conflicting findings, some studies show that it may help protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A study that analyzed 13 research studies found that people who consume caffeine had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine use has also been shown to reduce the course of Parkinson’s disease over time.
Another meta-analysis of 11 observational studies, including over 29,000 people, discovered that the more coffee people drank, the lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, research suggests that drinking a moderate amount of it may be associated with a lower occurrence of dementia and a decline in cognitive abilities.
4. May promote weight management
According to some studies, coffee may modify fat storage and improve gastrointestinal health, which may be helpful for weight loss.
For example, one evaluation of 12 research showed that increased coffee intake may be related to lower body fat, particularly in males.
In another study, increasing consumption was connected to lower body fat in women.
Furthermore, one study discovered that persons who drank one to two cups ofdaily were 17% more likely than those who drank less than one cup per day to fulfill prescribed physical activity levels.
Increased amounts of physical exercise may aid with weight management.
5. Lower risk of depression
According to several research, consuming coffee may be connected with a decreased risk of depression.
According to a meta-analysis of seven research, each cup of coffee drunk daily was associated with an 8% decreased incidence of depression.
Another study discovered that drinking at least four cups of coffee per day was related to a considerably decreased incidence of depression compared to only one cup per day.
Furthermore, one research of over 200,000 adults found that consuming coffee was associated with a decreased chance of suicide death.
6. Could protect against liver conditions
Interestingly, some research shows that coffee may benefit liver function and help prevent disease.
One study discovered that drinking more than two cups of coffee daily was associated with decreased incidence of liver scarring and cancer in patients with liver illness.
According to other studies, the more coffee people drank, the lower their chance of dying from chronic liver disease. One cup of coffee per day was associated with a 15% reduced risk, whereas four cups per day was associated with a 71% lower risk.
A recent study revealed that drinking coffee was linked to a decrease in liver stiffness. Healthcare professionals use this measure to identify the presence of liver fibrosis or the formation of scar tissue in the liver.
7. Supports heart health
According to several studies, drinking coffee may benefit one’s heart health.
One study discovered drinking three to five cups of coffee daily was associated with a 15% lower risk of heart disease.
Another study found that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily was related to a 21% decreased risk of stroke.
Furthermore, one research of almost 21,000 adults discovered that higher coffee consumption was connected with a considerably lower risk of heart failure.
Caffeine, on the other hand, may affect blood pressure levels. As a result, those with uncontrolled blood pressure may need to reduce or moderate their coffee use.
8. Could increase longevity
According to some studies, coffee may help lengthen life because of its numerous possible health advantages.
One evaluation of 40 research, for example, indicated that consuming two to four cups of coffee daily was related to a decreased risk of death, regardless of age, weight status, or alcohol usage.
Another research of 1,567 persons discovered that consuming caffeinated coffee was associated with a decreased risk of death after 12 and 18 years of follow-up. Furthermore, drinking at least one cup of coffee daily was linked to a reduced cancer death risk.
Surprisingly, one test-tube study found that coffee can dramatically lengthen the life of the yeast by shielding it from free radicals and DNA damage.
9. May enhance athletic performance
Coffee is frequently utilized as an ergogenic aid by athletes aiming to boost their performance and energy levels.
A performance enhancer is another name for an ergogenic aid.
A meta-analysis of nine trials found that consuming coffee before exercise increased endurance and lowered perceived effort compared to a control group.
In another study involving 126 older individuals, it was found that drinking coffee was associated with improved physical performance and faster walking speed. These positive effects remained even after the researchers took into account factors like age.
Furthermore, an extensive study found moderate coffee use might boost power production and time-trial completion time. However, the researchers concluded that caffeine may have different effects on individuals since the results varied.
