Coffee and its effects on the body: that's the reason

Whether coffee has a positive or negative effect on the human body is still controversial. The only thing that is certain is that caffeine has good and bad sides. The effect differs depending on how well you tolerate the drink.

Coffee has a stimulating effect on the body

After a cup of coffee there is no doubt that your mind is more alert and you are less tired. Scientific studies have also confirmed the positive effects of coffee on the human body.

• Coffee contains many antioxidants that protect your body cells against free radicals. Your body cells are less damaged because dangerous processes in the body are prevented.
• Drinking the hot beverage after eating will speed up your digestion.
• However, people with a sensitive stomach should only enjoy coffee with caution. Because coffee contains many acids, it can cause heartburn. There are also a number of other intolerances that are related to coffee.
• The most important ingredient in coffee is caffeine. This wakes you up by influencing the release of certain substances. These include, for example, the awakeners norepinephrine and dopamine.
• Because coffee stimulates energy metabolism, you can also consume calories. This splits fat. Coffee can therefore help you lose weight.
• When you drink coffee, your kidneys are stimulated to function better. This means that you have to go to the toilet more often.

The stimulant does not work for everyone

As a rule, everyone knows that coffee is a classic stimulant. However, the stimulating effect of caffeine does not affect everyone equally. There are usually genetic reasons for this.

• If you drink coffee regularly, your body gradually develops a tolerance to coffee. The caffeine is no longer stimulating for your body. You get tired faster. The wake-up effect is also lacking.
• Since some people are genetically more sensitive to caffeine, they suffer from insomnia after enjoying coffee. If your liver is unable to break down caffeine well, you will sleep less because the caffeine will remain in the blood for a long time.
• In this case, it is healthier to drink green tea, for example. This has a number of healthy ingredients. Caffeine is also included here, but has a gentler effect on your body.
• People with heart problems, such as tachycardia, also sleep less well after drinking coffee. Because coffee contains many stress hormones, like cortisol. This will increase your heartbeat. The pulse rate is getting too high. The result is a deterioration in the general condition.

Not all people tolerate coffee. It's a good thing that there are alternatives for the beloved drink. You can find out which these are in our next practical tip.