Scientific facts about how coffee affects human memory — does it really improve it

The belief about the dangers of coffee is firmly entrenched in the consciousness of modern man. And yet we cannot give up the mind-blowing fragrance, vivacity, energy and the special atmosphere associated with it. It turned out that not everything is so bad.

According to one study , a truly intriguing phenomenon is discovered: coffee really has the property of improving memory.

Other research proves that caffeine increases attention and improves mood.

So if earlier we just knew that Caffeine is able to activate the brain , now the details are being clarified, how and to what extent it affects our mental abilities. We will talk about this in the article.

Does a drink really improve memory?

How I wish that my favorite drink would not only cheer me up, but also have other useful properties. Today, experts are talking about the ability of this napik to enhance memory. Whether this is the case, scientists are still finding out.

Long-term

Michael Yassa from Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA) and colleagues from neurophysiology have revealed the positive effect of caffeine on the ability to remember information. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that a cup or two of coffee brings tangible benefits:

  1. Noticeably improves human memory. It is about long-term memory. Moreover, the results of the "coffee lover" are on average 30% higher than those who do not consume caffeine.
  2. Reduces forgetfulness. As a rule, the effect is noted during the day after drinking this magical drink.
  3. Improves the consolidation of long-term memory. The result is observed during the day after drinking the drink. The brain is more discerning in looking for differences and performing other actions due to the effect of caffeine on the hippocampus (part of the brain).
  4. Concentrates attention and helps fight distraction. Focusing on the little things or other features eventually helps in memorization.
  5. Has a beneficial effect on attention, cognitive functions and mood. Improves performance.
  6. Affects declarative memory. This type of memory allows you to store a large amount of information.
To improve memory, you should not drink coffee in liters, eating it with kilograms of sweets. A high dose of caffeine can cause a backlash.

Short-term

Research by Valerie Lesk (International School of Advanced Studies, Italy) and Stephen Womble (Trinity College, Dublin) has produced an unexpected result: morning coffee drinkers often suffer from aphasia, or the phenomenon of the "tip of the tongue".

It consists in the fact that people cannot remember at the right moment some word that they know.

Short-term memory is responsible for this. Scientists explain this phenomenon by the fact that with increased attention and alertness caused by increased caffeine content, other areas of brain activity are shut down.

However, if it is necessary to recall information related to the current chain of thoughts, caffeine does not interfere at all.

Scientists suggest that women are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than men.

5 more facts about the effects on the brain

The effect of caffeine on the human brain has not yet been fully studied. And if today scientists identify positive examples of the effects of the drink on people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, then only time will tell what properties of coffee will be revealed in the future. Now we know the following effects when drinking coffee.

  1. Relieves drowsiness. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, a substance that suppresses alertness and causes drowsiness, fatigue and fatigue. To do this, it is enough to drink 200 grams of strong coffee. The effect lasts only up to a certain level.
  2. Helps you work faster. Caffeine affects precisely the speed of simple physical actions, labor productivity, but not mental abilities. That is, you should not expect an increase in the quality of work. But an hour before fitness, having a cup of coffee is the best thing.
  3. Narrows the vessels of the brain. It is used by people suffering from migraines or constant headaches. They feel better after a drink. Learn more about the effect of coffee on blood vessels see in a separate article.
  4. Dilates the vessels of the peripheral system. This helps to increase the pressure. However, this is not scary for a healthy person, since vasodilation , as well as their narrowing, is not critical for him.
  5. Prolongs life. Increasingly, longevity and minimization of cognitive impairment (for example, increased resistance to Alzheimer's disease) are associated with caffeine consumption. However, this issue has been poorly studied so far.

Also pay attention to the infographic:

Caffeine is found in different concentrations in the following products: coffee – on average from 60 to 125 mg per cup, tea – from 15 to 75 mg, energy drink – from 30 to 80 mg, chocolate – about 30 mg, cocoa – from 10 to 17 mg, Coca-Cola – about 14 mg.

How to drink properly?

In order for coffee to really energize, improve mood and memory capabilities, you need to drink it correctly. A few simple rules for drinking a drink will help you feel the great taste and not harm your health.

  1. Drink in small portions. The maximum amount of coffee should not exceed 3-5 cups per day. And for a stimulating effect on the brain, one serving of strong espresso is enough.
  2. Do not consume on an empty stomach. It threatens stomach and liver problems, leads to serious diseases. The optimal solution is to drink coffee an hour after breakfast. Just on arrival at work.
  3. Try to choose high-quality coffee. This will help to avoid unpleasant surprises and give you the opportunity to enjoy the taste and aroma of the drink.

6 more important recommendations

In addition to coffee, there are many simple, complex, effective and not so effective ways to improve your memory. Among them, the most popular are the following:

  1. Healthy sleep. This is the best way to increase concentration, because our brain just needs to rest.
  2. Usage Brain-healthy foods . Proper nutrition along with healthy intestinal microflora and the presence of sufficient vitamin B in the body work wonders.
  3. Fresh air. Oxygen is necessary for the brain, so you need to walk more and ventilate the room more often.
  4. Iodine. Iodine deficiency instantly affects memory. Insufficient thyroid activity is effectively treated today.
  5. Fighting dehydration. The brain is 80% water. Its lack weakens the work of the entire brain, including memory.
  6. Aromatherapy. The effect of odors on the human brain has long been proven. Lemon, rosemary, cinnamon flavor, etc. are suitable for improving memory.

There are a lot of ways to boost brain function. Choose the most convenient and effective one for yourself.

Coffee is one of the products honored to become famous in odes, works of praise and even a cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Useful Video

We suggest you to familiarize yourself with the following videos:

Now it will surely become easier for you to remember the birthdays of all relatives, passport number and series, shopping list and much more. Take exams with ease and keep wonderful memories in your memory! However, keep in mind the sense of proportion and individuality of each person. Coffee is not a panacea for everything and not for everyone. Listen to your body, and it will help you find the optimal solution.