How drinking too much coffee affects your body
Many of us rely on a hot morning cup of coffee to help us get through the day.
Some, even drink another cup in the afternoon for a quick boost of energy.
But, have you ever thought about what it does to your body?
Coffee comes from a bean that contains phytonutrients and polyphenols--plant compounds considered to have antioxidant benefits.
According to Pinoy MD's Internist Dr. Roland Balburias, "Maganda 'to kasi pwede itong makatulong para ma-metabolize ng ating liver ang sugar.
"'Yun ang isang benefit ng antioxidants sa katawan."
From your brain to your digestive tract, here's what coffee does to your body:
It boosts alertness and energy
The number one reason why we drink coffee in the first place.
Based on studies, it only takes 10 minutes before the caffeine starts kicking in.
What it does is the caffeine binds to the adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is the brain's depressant that promotes sleep.
When caffeine intrudes on this receptor, the brain gets stimulated and releases adrenaline giving you a boost of energy.
This is also connected to the amount of sugar found in your regular cup.
Based on Dr. Balburias's study, a cup of instant coffee contains two full tablespoons of sugar.
He says, "One pack has high contents of sugar.
"More so if you're gonna drink it more than three times a day. You're not only drinking the caffeine, but you're also drinking simple sugars."
A person full of energy / Source: freepik.com
It can cause insomnia
When you drink coffee in the afternoon, it predisposes you to develop insomnia.
That's why Dr. Balburias recommends not drinking coffee after lunch.
He says, "'Pag sobrang dami na ng caffeine, pwede na nitong maapektuhan 'yung kalidad at depth ng ating pagtulog.
"This will make a person sluggish and tired in the morning, prompting them to drink coffee again."
Coffee takes hours to get digested in the body.
According to studies, it takes about six hours to reduce the amount of coffee in our system by 50 percent.
Plus, this number varies from person to person and their blood chemistry.
A person having a hard time falling asleep / Source: freepik.com
It can affect your blood pressure and heart rate
Studies have suggested that coffee (and too much of it) causes an increased heart rate.
But drinking coffee in moderation--one to three cups a day--shouldn't have a noticeable impact on a healthy adult.
According to Dr. Balburias, habitual drinkers may observe a higher blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.
"Ang caffeine, pwede niyang paitimin ang ating blood vessels o i-constrict ito which may affect our blood pressure.
"Kung mas makipot ang isang chamber, mas mataas ang resistance kaya pwedeng tumaas ang blood pressure. "
A doctor taking a patient's blood pressure / Source: freepik.com
We all love coffee and its great to drink in the mornings to help us stay sharp and ready to face the day.
However, high consumption of caffeine may not be healthful. Like most things keep your caffeine intake in moderation so you can reap its benefits in the long run.