3 facts about how coffee affects blood viscosity — does it dilute it or thicken it?

There are a lot of legends about coffee. This delicious drink is sometimes proclaimed useful, then it is doubted. Different versions of the benefits and harms of coffee relate to its effect primarily on the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.

But how does coffee affect blood viscosity? Does he dilute it or thicken it?

If we analyze all the hypotheses, then for the most part they will come down to the fact that a popular drink has a beneficial effect on blood composition if the dose of its use is not exceeded and if coffee does not mean a product that only looks like it.

So, according to one study , moderate coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of venous thrombosis.

In another study The cardioprotective properties of coffee have been proven and it has been claimed that coffee reduces the overall risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

3 facts about the effect on blood

Coffee usually means two forms of the product: natural and instant. Both quickly supply all active substances to the blood, and first of all the alkaloids caffeine and theophylline, which begin to actively affect the body. Substances can be detected in the circulatory system even in the next 12 hours.

Studies have shown that different types of coffee have almost the same effect on the circulatory system, including in powder, granules or freeze-dried coffee. The only slight difference is in the variety and in the fact that soluble varieties contain less of the active substance — caffeine.

1. Viscosity

Low-quality instant coffee includes not only coffee crystals, but also flavors, dyes and preservatives. Using a soluble drink, it is difficult to determine its effect on the blood, but it definitely cannot be beneficial, since Chemicals clog the circulatory system and thicken the blood.

As for the effect of natural coffee and high-quality instant coffee on the blood, it has almost no effect on blood viscosity . Except that the substance kafeol slightly lowers cholesterol levels. But it has no therapeutic effect in atherosclerosis.

Of course, the composition of the blood substance will not change much, only if no additional sugar, milk or cream is added to the cup of coffee. These products have a separate effect on both blood viscosity and sugar levels, as well as on the fat content in the blood. Many of these supplements actually thin the blood, while others thicken it.

2. Coagulability

The only property of blood that changes natural coffee is its coagulability, which goes down thanks to the drink .

But this does not mean at all that with this product you can fight thrombosis and varicose veins.

• Firstly, the effect of the drink is not so great as to prevent a stroke.
• And secondly, with an increased dosage, blood vessels and heart muscle will suffer.

Therefore, in order to preserve clotting, coffee consumption should be limited only for hemophilia and other blood pathologies, before surgery, before childbirth and during bleeding.

3. Diuretic effect

There is another factor that neutralizes the drink's ability to reduce blood viscosity &8212; this is a diuretic effect. After the diuretic effect of coffee on the body the circulatory system starts to get a little dehydrated , because the body draws out the missing fluid from it.

That's why to save Brain health nutritionists and healthy lifestyle experts advise drinking a glass of clean drinking water after a cup of coffee. This is necessary to replenish the body's fluid reserves.

And yet, in order not to harm the circulatory system by using the product, you can visually determine the viscosity level.

1. With low blood pressure, there is a tendency to nosebleeds, poor healing of superficial wounds, and slight appearance of hematomas on the body: they can form even without physical impact on tissues, that is, without bruises.
2. With increased viscosity, edema is noticeable.

7 facts about the effects on the heart and blood vessels

If you do not exceed the consumption rate, coffee has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels . Its properties are even used in medicine.

1. Stimulating effect. Caffeine is prescribed for heart failure because it narrows blood vessels, increases the work of the heart muscle, increases heart rate and slightly increases blood pressure. This substance is also used to stimulate the central nervous system in case of poisoning.
2. Antispasmodic. Caffeine relieves migraines. Sometimes it is enough to drink a cup of coffee to relieve a spasm of the cerebral vessels. Learn more about the effect of coffee on the brain see in a separate article.
3. Constricting and dilating effect on blood vessels. The specificity of caffeine is such that it narrows blood vessels of the brain, digestive system and dilates veins and arteries in the muscles. That is why it is recommended to drink it for headaches: dilated vessels press on the nerve endings and cause pain. After a hearty meal, it is also recommended to drink a cup of coffee, which activates the digestive tract and helps digest food. Coronary vessels, like veins and arteries in other muscles, begin to pump blood more actively. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a little drink when physical exertion is coming.
4. Improvement of blood circulation. The substance in the composition of coffee called kafeol is noticeable  Improves blood circulation in the brain and in small blood vessels.
5. Improvement of blood vessels. Vitamin P strengthens blood vessels vascular tissues.
6. Increased blood pressure. This effect is observed only if a person drinks more than 6 cups per day. Many people do not have an increase in blood pressure at all: hypotonics are well aware of this, which often cannot not only raise the pressure to the physiological norm, but even somehow improve the condition. For hypertensive patients, at least one cup in the morning can be consumed, and in the absence of negative changes, 2-3 cups a day will not hurt. But at the time of a hypertensive crisis, that is, with a sudden increase in blood pressure, it is still not worth taking risks.
7. Supportive effect. Coffee is recommended to drink even with atherosclerosis, making it part of an anti-cholesterol diet: strengthening the vascular wall, substances from the drink prevent the deposition of cholesterol layers on the walls of blood arteries.

Daily allowance and recommendations for use

According to various nutritionists, the permissible daily intake of caffeine ranges from 300 to 500 mg. Otherwise, the digestive system suffers, as the drink increases the acidity of the stomach, tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmia may appear.

If there is a concern about exceeding the dosage, it is recommended to drink a drink with useful additives.

1. Milk or cream. Dairy products are able to bind tannins and reduce the effects of coffee on organs. This combination is especially useful for those who have a stomach ache. Milk also replenishes calcium reserves, which are washed out of the body if you drink the drink regularly. It is only necessary to remember that in this case the caloric content of the product increases, and in the case of cream, cholesterol may also increase.
2. Honey. The beekeeping product helps to enrich the diet with minerals that are not enough in coffee.
3. Lemon. Citric acid slightly neutralizes the effect of caffeine. Therefore, it is good to add lemon if you are very addicted to the drink. In addition, it replenishes vitamin C reserves. Also lemon dilutes the blood .
4. Cinnamon. This spicy spice helps to improve metabolism and, in combination with caffeine, promotes weight loss. But you need to know that cinnamon should not be consumed in large quantities by pregnant women, with liver and kidney diseases, as well as with hypertension.

 

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the danger of drinking coffee is greatly exaggerated and is primarily related to the dosage of the substance, there are some cases when it is better to limit the drink.

1. Children and the elderly. It is undesirable to use a strong stimulant both in adulthood and in baby food. In the first case, there are many malfunctions of the body's vital activity, and it does not need extra stimulation. In the second case, the functionality of the organs has not yet been worked out, and caffeine is also not needed in childhood.
2. Pregnancy and lactation. The effect of caffeine on child development has been little studied. But there are observations that indicate that caffeine in large quantities can cause fetal pathology or lead to the birth of a child with a reduced weight. But 1 cup a day will give the expectant mother pleasure and will not harm the child. During breastfeeding, you should completely give up your favorite drink for a while, because the breastfeeding period is one of the most hectic for a mother. And if the increased excitability of the child is added to the load with frequent feedings, then this will not benefit anyone.
3. Ulcers and gastritis. The digestive tract is the first to take the hit. And even if the drink is natural, made from grains, and there are no unnecessary and dangerous additives in it, it still has a high acidity of the stomach and strongly affects the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Diseased kidneys. Diseases of the excretory system weaken the kidneys. Diuretic effect and stimulation are not needed by these organs during the period of exacerbation.
5. Glaucoma. The presence of this disease is a complete contraindication to drinking coffee.

Also beware Coffee addiction , which we discussed in more detail in a separate article.

Interesting video

And now we invite you to familiarize yourself with the video :

 

Conclusion

Coffee in moderation not only does not harm, but also helps to be active — mentally and physically. And with the right selection of varieties and proper brewing of the drink, you can get the most out of fragrant grains without harming either the cardiovascular or circulatory system.