6 facts about the effect of coffee on the brain and blood supply to blood vessels

Coffee acts on the brain as a neurostimulator, which is proved by numerous studies by scientists.

Conducted research it has been found that caffeine consumption increases the average life expectancy (if we compare this indicator with those who drink only tea).

Other studies confirm that coffee helps prevent the development of age-related dementia, reduces the risk of stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as many other diseases.

So can coffee be called a safe neurostimulator and neuroprotector? Or should we limit its use? What effect does a drink have on the brain? Is it always useful, or in some cases can it harm? All the answers are below.

6 facts about this drink

Scientific research on the effect of coffee on brain function has actually been conducted since the 1930s (it is believed that German scientists were the first to deal with this issue, although there is no evidence of this). Even then, doctors understood that this drink contains caffeine, which stimulates the sensitivity of neurons, thereby stimulating mental activity.

Since then, a huge number of studies of varying reliability and size have been conducted. Today, we can highlight a number of facts about the influence of coffee, which were discovered by scientists and confirmed by WHO (World Health Organization). Let's look at the 6 most important ones.

1. Caffeine increases the speed of conditioned reflexes, increases mental performance

It is not surprising, but this conclusion was put forward by I.P. Pavlov, a Soviet scientist and Nobel Prize winner in the field of medical development. His activities were mainly related to the work of the gastrointestinal tract and the reflex function of the human body.

Experimentally, he found that Caffeine acts as a psychomotor stimulant of the entire central nervous system . Moreover, it also normalizes the production of hormones (some of which are synthesized by the brain), there is a faster activation of conditioned (acquired) reflexes, as well as sensitivity of some groups of receptors (in particular, visual, gustatory, olfactory).

It should be clarified that Pavlov considered the effect on the brain not of coffee beans themselves, but of caffeine, evaluating it as a pharmacological substance. At the same time, nothing is indicated about any negative consequences of its frequent use.

2. Eliminates sensitivity to pain

Another established fact is the consumption of coffee slightly reduces the sensitivity of pain centers of the brain. But at the same time, this effect is not significant (almost 100 times weaker than taking one tablet of Analgin or a similar painkiller).

For headaches caused by hypotension (low blood pressure), coffee really normalizes the patient's condition , as it not only reduces sensitivity to pain, but also increases pressure by 10-15 millimeters of mercury. Actually, we will consider this fact below.

3. Increases blood pressure

Caffeine acts as an antispasmodic against the vessels of the brain, that is, it narrows them, thereby increasing the speed of blood flow and pressure on the walls of capillaries, which leads to improve blood supply to the brain .

As practice has shown – the lower the initial blood pressure, the more it increases when drinking coffee.

But with hypertension, the increase in blood pressure will be only 1-4 millimeters of mercury, which practically does not affect the patient's well-being in any way.

4. Provokes insomnia

Scientists only partially agree with this statement. Caffeine is really reduces the desire to sleep , however, this effect persists, on average, no more than 1-2 hours.

But the older the person, the longer the action. Accordingly, you should give up coffee only 2-3 hours before your scheduled sleep.

Observing this rule, you do not have to worry about insomnia – it will not occur (in the absence of other diseases of the nervous system).

5. Improves brain function and improves mood

Coffee can really improve brain function and thought processes. This action is due to the production of adrenaline, which provokes the drink. At the same time, the concentration of oxygen in the blood increases, which affects the metabolic processes in the brain cells.

Coffee also improves mood and helps fight depression, which is written about separate article .

There is also evidence that coffee improves memory .

6. It can provoke atherosclerosis

Coffee does not directly affect this in any way. But the sugar contained in such drinks really provokes the appearance of cholesterol plaques in the vessels. Glucose also impairs the elasticity of the inner walls of blood vessels.

This action is complemented and vasoconstrictive effect of caffeine consumption . So, in case of chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, sweet coffee should really be abandoned (or at least minimize its amount).

Read More about the effects of coffee on the cardiovascular system see in a separate article.

Also pay attention to this infographic:

Stages of action on the body by time

What happens to the body after drinking a cup of strong coffee? According to the instructions of the scientists, the effect will be as follows :

1. In 10 minutes. Blood pressure rises, heart rate increases slightly.
2. In 20 minutes. The feeling of fatigue is eliminated (biochemical reactions involving brain adenosine are triggered).
3. In 30 minutes. The body produces adrenaline and some other hormones more actively (while the pupils dilate slightly, so visual sensitivity improves).
4. In 40 minutes. The concentration of serotonin in the blood increases. At the same time, the sensitivity of neurons increases, physiologically a person feels a surge of strength .
5. In 2 hours. Psychomotor functions are normalized to their usual state (the desire to sleep at the same time becomes the same as before a cup of coffee).
6. After 4 hours. There is an acceleration of intercellular metabolism. With active physical activity, this allows you to burn significantly more fats and lipids.
7. After 6 hours. Coffee derivatives (with the exception of glucose) are excreted from the body (mainly through the kidneys). In this case, there may be diuretic effect , depending on the amount of liquid consumed (not just coffee).

How much can I drink daily

The amount of coffee consumed in cups should not be regulated. The most important thing is the amount of caffeine contained in the drink. Its "normal" daily dose should be no more than 200-300 milligrams .

It is important to know how much caffeine is contained in caffeinated drinks:

1. Americano . From 70 to 100 milligrams of caffeine.
2. Cappuccino, latte . From 30 to 60 milligrams.
3. Instant (granular). From 45 to 85 milligrams.
4. Custard (natural, cooked in Turkey). From 80 to 130 milligrams (depending on the variety).

Thus, it is recommended to drink no more than 2-4 cups of coffee every day (depending on the specific drink). At the same time, it is better in the morning and at lunch, but not in the evening or during dinner.

Use in certain diseases

Many people are wondering if it is possible to take caffeine for certain brain diseases. Doctors recommend following the following recommendations:

1. Atherosclerosis. Caffeine is strictly contraindicated (and even tea consumption should be limited). In the active stage of the disease, blood pressure in the blood vessels of the brain is already elevated, and caffeine additionally narrows the vessels. It is necessary to carry out cleaning of vessels .
2. After a stroke. Is also contraindicated. Rupture of blood vessels indicates that the blood pressure in them is increased or that the walls are thinned. Accordingly, the load on them is dangerous.
3. Concussion. Doctors recommend abstaining from caffeine in case of concussion. But if the patient has literally abused it before (drinking 3 or more cups per day), then caffeine will need to be taken in small quantities – in this case, there is no withdrawal syndrome (addictive effect).
4. Increased blood clotting . Caffeine is also contraindicated, since its presence in the blood significantly increases the likelihood of thrombosis of thin capillaries. A blockage of blood vessels , deterioration of blood supply is the most common cause of stroke.
5. Hypertension. Caffeinated drinks are contraindicated. But in practice, there will be no negative effect from 1 cup per day, since blood pressure will increase by only a few millimeters of mercury (at high pressure, the effect of antispasmodics is less pronounced). In any case, it is better to follow the doctor's instructions.
6. Hypotension . Caffeine will help normalize blood pressure and relieve headaches (as it additionally reduces the sensitivity of the pain centers of the brain).
7. Migraine. A cup of coffee at the very beginning of a headache attack will help significantly reduce its duration. But this effect is not observed in every patient.

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Conclusion

In total, coffee, oddly enough, has a predominantly positive effect on the human brain. But in some diseases, this drink should be abandoned, since it narrows blood vessels and increases the load on their walls (which increases the likelihood of vascular rupture).

For the rest, caffeine is indeed one of the safest neurostimulators, but one should not forget about its negative effects on the cardiovascular system (increased load on the heart muscle) and the gastrointestinal tract (acts as an irritant and increases the secretion of gastric juice). In some situations, this can be harmful.