Sebastian R. Ortega / Edge columnist
Making coffee is part of many people’s routines when waking up in the morning. Heating up the kettle, taking a whiff of the ground beans before taking a sip- it is ritualistic to get a burst of energy when about to take on what the day has to offer.
Yet the drink has been controversially disputed amongst academics and scientists as either a miracle drink, or bitter poison. These arguments have sparked disputes over if you should or should not kickstart a coffee habit.
Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive in the world. It reassembles the effects from other stimulants like amphetamines, and to a significantly lesser extent cocaine.
The caffeine content of coffee varies greatly depending on the caffeinated drink, which depends on factors lik how the coffee beans are roasted, the coffee strain, and the method it is prepared in.
An average 8-ounce cup contains about 100 mg of caffeine, so you will have to drink about 100 cups of coffee to overdose from the drink.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, which prevent this molecule from binding to their respective receptors. Adenosine is a molecule that makes you feel sleepy, therefore when you drink coffee you feel more awake.
This chemical has a mixed number of responses in your body. The blocking of adenosine receptors, makes your body produce an increase in dopamine, which increases memory and deep thinking, while also making you more alert.
Some research articles even claim that it even decreases the activity against beta-amynoid amino acids which cause Alzheimer’s in people.
However, evidence suggests that building dependency to the drink can be troublesome. Withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Caffeine also increases gut motility, which means that the stimulants effect can give a person loosen stools and cause diarrhea.
Is coffee bad for you? That depends on a person’s relationship with the drink. The drink can be damaging to those who have stomach problems, coffee drinkers having trouble sleeping, and people that are susceptible to addictive tendencies. Yet rising evidence towards the safe consumption of coffee, points out that it is rich in nutrients good for the body.
As long as you drink the beverage in moderation one should not worry about any damaging symptom when it comes to coffee.