Author: Altay Shaw
Editor: Dina Vafakish Sistani
Artist: Ahmad Bilal
If you have ever been a student, someone has invariably told you that coffee is bad for you. Whether it is the strong smell it leaves on your breath or the effect it could have on your heart, negatives are drawn with the consumption of coffee. Yet, in recent years, the messaging has been mixed, with more recent studies able to track the consumption patterns of thousands. So, is there a benefit for you?
Coffee is known for containing caffeine, a well-recognised central nervous system stimulant that is generally found in coffee beans. It provides the bitter taste that we have grown accustomed to within caffeinated drinks, whose evolutionary purpose served as a pesticide to prevent insects and mammals from consuming the flowers. In modern diets, we can find caffeine in a variety of beverages, such as energy drinks and sweet teas.
The irritability that comes with coffee is well understood. The typical amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee will be absorbed by the circulatory system within 45 minutes. From this point, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches the brain. Caffeine can then bind to adenosine receptors, disabling them. By competitively binding to the receptors, adenosine cannot bond with its own receptors, preventing reduced nerve fibre activity and increased fatigue as the day progresses. Caffeine allows us to stave off the sleepiness that would otherwise occur, allowing us to stay energetic throughout the day.
It not only helps those trying to get through a long day at the office or a long day of lectures. Being able to stay awake and focused on the task at hand ensures people remain sharp, especially for those of us on placements. In conjunction, research would also suggest that those who have an increased caffeine intake are less likely to score highly on scoring surveys, resulting in those being less likely to suffer from serious bouts of depression.
The benefits are not solely seen in terms of mental health either. Studies since the beginning of the century have suggested that individuals who consume a morning cup of coffee are less at risk of developing heart failure or atrial fibrillation. Most of the studies emphasise a limit of around 3 cups of coffee consumed in the morning, with limited benefits in increased consumption. Past this point, some have speculated that caffeine is not the sole element at play. Whilst effects have been seen to be beneficial at lower doses, increased caffeine consumption has been correlated with increased amounts of LDL cholesterol, with the BMJ noting a potential public health concern if rates continue to rise.
It should be noted that there are some caveats. Everybody is genetically different in some way, resulting in the absorption of caffeine and its effects on the body being different. Some people may be at a greater risk of anxiety when consuming increased amounts of caffeinated coffee. This has been observed in both observational and patient response studies. Limitations in methodology mean we are unable to organise larger-scale randomised controlled trials to review the true impact on an individual, and a large amount of trust is placed on trial participants when responding to questionnaires. Additionally, though caffeine may be consumed in the early stages of pregnancy, it is recommended that lower doses be taken. Increased caffeine intake in the later stages of pregnancy can result in stunted foetal growth and weight gain.
Thus, is coffee truly good for you? Like any reasonable healthcare worker would say, it depends entirely upon your circumstances. As long as you are comfortable with the amount you drink, it should be enough to give you the desired effect. Fuel your workday, passions, or just a Groundhog Day of lectures with coffee. Just balance it all out in a safe manner.
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