Coffee, not counting water, is the most loved beverage in the world. Almost 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year in the world. But what is it that you like about this amazing beverage? You will probably say that you like its aromatic flavor or you feel relaxed while sipping your coffee at a coffee café. Sipping coffee with your loved one is quite an amazing experience. Coffee cafes are great outdoor places when you don’t think about the stressful day to day experiences. It is a place where you can express your deep feelings to your new. Coffee is also considered to increase mental alertness hence some folks take it to “jump-start” their mind. These are some of the many reasons while coffee is a famous beverage worldwide.
Coffee for the brain- A scientific connection
However, if you think this is all about coffee, wait, there is something else which is more amazing. Many kinds of research have been conducted by scientists find out other health benefits of coffee. Some of these researches have aimed at investigating mental effects which occur after a person drinks coffee. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a very strong stimulant. The caffeine in coffee boosts our metabolism, which in turn increases the energy level. Apart from this, caffeine and been associated with tremendous effects in our brain. Caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and bring you the sensation of relaxed and clear thinking and also refresh your mind. Many of the researches conducted have been based on this caffeine contained in coffee and how it affects your brain system.
A recent study done by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has revealed a significant association between coffee and dementia. According to the report released on September 27, 2016, by this group of researchers, Caffeine which is contained in coffee can actually ward off dementia in women.
Coffee and its mental health benefits
Dementia is known to occur mainly among aged people. According to Todd Kluss of GSA, this study involved the collection of data from postmenopausal women aged 65 years and above who obviously are at risk of Dementia. The sampled women aged 65 years and above. The study only sampled women who had reports of caffeine consumption. The study found out that the amount of consumption was two and four cups daily.
This study could be a major breakthrough in the journey towards dementia prevention. The study found out that non-selective adenosine receptors actually played a role. According to past studies conducted many years ago, caffeine was found to be a non-selective blocker of adenosine receptors (A1 and A2a). It reduces the cellular damages caused by degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism and Dementia.
Do you think it’s over about coffee? Actually, there is something else you don’t know. Another study revealed the association between coffee and antisocial traits. You are shocked, right? A study by the University of Innsbruck, Austria by two psychologists, Tobias Greitemeyer and Christina Sagioglou, found out an association between coffee taste preferences and psychopathic traits. According to this interesting research, people who like taking black bitter coffee had more chances of developing psychopathic tendencies. This could a huge shock to men since another study conducted some time ago found out that men like black bitter coffee while women prefer the sweeter one.
According to this research, individuals who prefer bitter coffee could easily develop narcissism and sadism. The data was collected from an equal number of males and females with an average of 35 years. The results of this study could be interpreted otherwise that men are more at risk of antisocial personalities compared to women.
In summary, coffee can have both positive and negative impacts in our body. The above studies have clearly revealed that coffee can ward off degenerative diseases like dementia but can also be a risk factor to many psychopathic tendencies. This will depend of the type of coffee consumed and also the amount. Don’t take too much to avoid addiction.
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