Caffeine is a chemical substance found naturally in certain plants, such as coffee, of course, but also tea, cocoa, guarana and mate. It is consumed by over 90% of the world's population, in the form of drinks, food or food supplements. Caffeine is best known for its stimulating effect on the central nervous system, reducing fatigue, increasing alertness and concentration, and improving mood. But caffeine also has other, less well-known effects, which can be beneficial or harmful depending on the dosage, frequency of consumption and individual sensitivity. So what are the benefits of caffeine for the body? And what are the negative effects of over-consumption? All the answers are in this article!
Caffeine improves physical performance:
Caffeine has a number of positive effects on the body, if consumed in moderation and with caution. For a start, caffeine improves physical performance. It increases muscular strength, endurance and coordination. It also reduces the perception of effort and pain. It encourages the mobilisation of fat as a source of energy, which preserves muscle glycogen and delays fatigue. Finally, it stimulates thermogenesis, i.e. the production of heat by the body, which increases energy expenditure and can help with weight loss.
Caffeine protects the brain:
It prevents age-related cognitive decline by improving brain functions such as attention, memory, reasoning and creativity. It also reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, by protecting neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation. It also promotes neurogenesis, i.e. the formation of new neurons, and neuroplasticity, i.e. the brain's ability to remodel itself in response to experience.
Caffeine and type 2 diabetes:
It improves sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. It also reduces the risk of developing insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower blood sugar levels on an empty stomach and after meals, by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. It also moderates appetite, which can help prevent obesity, another risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Caffeine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease:
It has a vasodilatory effect, meaning it dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It also has an antiaggregant effect, preventing blood platelets from clumping together and forming clots that can obstruct the arteries. In addition to its antiaggregant effect, it has an antioxidant effect, meaning that it protects cells from oxidative stress, which is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Finally, its anti-inflammatory effect reduces the production of cytokines, the molecules that promote inflammation.
Caffeine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease:
It has a vasodilatory effect, meaning that it dilates the blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It also has an antiaggregant effect, preventing blood platelets from clumping together and forming clots that can obstruct arteries. In addition to its antiaggregant effect, it has an antioxidant effect, meaning that it protects cells from oxidative stress, which is involved in the development of atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Finally, its anti-inflammatory effect reduces the production of cytokines, the molecules that promote inflammation.
Caffeine relieves headaches:
It has analgesic properties and therefore helps to reduce pain. It also has vasoconstrictor properties, which means it constricts the blood vessels in the brain, relieving tension headaches and preventing migraines. Finally, it potentiates the effect of painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, by increasing their absorption and bioavailability.
The disadvantages and risks of caffeine:
Caffeine is not without danger if consumed in excess or inappropriately. First of all, when consumed in excess or before going to bed, caffeine can cause insomnia. It disrupts the sleep cycle, delaying the onset of sleep and reducing sleep quality. This is because caffeine reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the circadian rhythm. And that's not all: if too much is consumed, caffeine can also cause anxiety. It increases the production of adrenaline, the stress hormone that prepares the body to deal with a dangerous situation, as well as the production of cortisol, the chronic stress hormone that keeps the body on high alert.
Beware of addiction. Caffeine activates the brain's reward system by increasing the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that provides pleasure and motivation. This creates an addiction, an adaptation of the brain to the presence of the substance, requiring higher and higher doses to obtain the same effect. It also leads to withdrawal, i.e. a withdrawal reaction when the substance is no longer taken, manifested by symptoms such as fatigue, depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating, etc. Finally, while caffeine potentiates the effect of painkillers by increasing their absorption and bioavailability, it can also interact with other drugs, such as antidepressants, anticoagulants, antibiotics, diuretics and oral contraceptives, altering their effectiveness or toxicity.
Our Moga "Classic" coffee, a quick preparation with many benefits:
Now that you know all about this substance which, if consumed in moderation, can provide a host of benefits, we invite you to discover our Moga "Classic" coffee! It's a concentrated coffee preparation that allows you to make up to 20 cups! Is it just a coffee? Of course not! We've added black garlic and saffron to the formula of our Moga 'Classic', making it a must-have when it comes to drinking a relaxing wellbeing drink! You'll also find our Moga 'Classic' in a dedicated pack! The Moga slogan: 1 coffee, 1 smile!
