Coffee is known as a Gift of God in many cultures because it makes us stay awake and active to perform our duties. But it has also been criticized by many for causing hyperactivity and other health conditions. So, let us take a verdict, should you be sipping on your coffee everyday or should you put away your espresso machines and coffee cups once and for all? Let us see what science says about the pros and cons of coffee based on scientific experiments. Well, first of all, let us get this straight – coffee is a drug. Yes! That’s right! You read it right! It is a drug. Caffeine is the main ingredient in coffee and it is the widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. But caffeine is not all bad. According to research, coffee boosts your physical performance by increasing your alertness. It helps in weight loss as it helps burn fat. It is rich in antioxidants, and so reduces the risk of stroke, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Coffee lifts our mood and helps fight depression by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS) through the production of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, which elevate our mood.
Now, let us see some cons of coffee consumption. If you have high cholesterol, pregnant or a child, then it is better to skip coffee, because it increases the heart rate. But one or two cups of coffee a day will not do any harm and in fact, help us become more productive and healthy. It can prevent diseases, and improve your focus. But it is important to use high-quality coffee beans preferably without any chicory because it is chicory that adds the addictive nature of the coffee more than caffeine. If you are caffeine sensitive and are looking for an alternative, then there are plenty of decaf options to choose from. Recent research suggests that decaf and caffeinated coffee may both have positive health effects. Whether you are preparing for your exams or doing a board meeting or sitting and reading a book on your sofa, don’t forget your coffee mug!
