Effects of Coffee

by June Hathaway

Overview

Effects of Coffee

If you need a steaming mug of hot coffee to clear the morning cobwebs, you're not alone. Coffee's active ingredient, caffeine, is the most popular mind-altering drug in America, according to the Mayo Clinic. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system by blocking the effects of adenosine, the brain chemical that makes you feel tired.
Mental Alertness

Coffee's best-known effect is the mental pick-me-up it provides. Alertness and concentration improve when the central nervous system is stimulated.

Physical Effects

Physical Effects

Every time you drink a cup of coffee, your pituitary gland releases a burst of adrenaline, your liver puts out a little extra blood sugar, your heart beats faster, and your lungs deliver more oxygen.
Health Benefits

Coffee protects against many diseases. Researchers around the world have found that coffee drinkers are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many kinds of cancer.
Addiction

Caffeine may be addictive. A 2003 study at Johns Hopkins Medical center found that--when heavy coffee drinkers were deprived of their fix--they suffered withdrawal symptoms including headaches, fatigue and depression.
Negative Effects

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who consume 500 to 600 milligrams of caffeine---the equivalent of four 12-ounce mugs---may suffer from anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and irregular heartbeat.

Overview