Starting one’s day with a comforting cup of coffee is a daily ritual for many. The National Coffee Data Trends report suggests that 65% of individuals nationwide begin each day with coffee. Although the effectiveness of caffeine on general health and wellbeing has been widely debated, it turns out that if not overdone, coffee can have several positive effects on the mind. Let’s look at some ways having coffee can boost one’s brain health.

Positive effects of coffee on the brain

• Reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia
  Various research studies demonstrate that coffee can help protect older adults against mental health conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Moreover, having a few cups of coffee daily may reduce one’s susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
• Enhanced mood
  Coffee stimulates one’s brain and nervous system, uplifting one’s mood instantly. Specifically, a chemical called adenosine, found in human cells, often contributes to fatigue and low moods. Caffeine blocks receptors in the brain from blending with adenosine, thus enhancing mood and reducing fatigue.
• Lowered oxidative stress levels
  Elevated levels of oxidative stress in the body are often associated with depression. Coffee acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress levels and helping manage depression symptoms.
• Improved concentration and learning
  It is observed that having a cup of coffee before studying can help one retain information for longer periods. This is because coffee can instantly improve one’s alertness and increase the amount of data retained in one’s short term memory, enhancing learning significantly and increasing one’s comprehension of the subject matter.
• Enhanced memory
  A study by John Hopkins University found that caffeine may enhance long-term memory. It specifically observed that caffeine intake helps individuals perform better with differentiating between images with similar patterns. Coffee contains caffeine, and therefore, may help in enhancing one’s memory.
• Better reaction time
  In general, caffeine in small doses has been found to enhance reaction time significantly. Studies have found that caffeine increases one’s alertness and detection accuracy for moving objects.
• Improved executive control
  A study in the journal Physiology and Behavior suggests that caffeine, in low doses, suppresses alpha brain waves, which are associated with drowsiness, and facilitates better executive functioning.
• Relaxed mind
  While coffee intake is linked to increased attentiveness and concentration, it also ensures relaxation because of the release of dopamine due to coffee. However, excessive coffee intake can cause restlessness and sleep problems; therefore, one should limit their coffee intake to relax the mind.

Tips to maximize health benefits of coffee

• Avoid coffee after sunset
  While coffee can perform the dual functions of relaxing and stimulating the mind, having coffee after sunset can hamper one’s sleep. So, it is best to restrict one’s coffee intake to the daytime.
• Do not add too much sugar to coffee
  Increased sugar consumption is associated with several diseases, including type-2 diabetes and cholesterol. So, the worst way to have one’s coffee is to load it with sugar.
• Consider organic coffee
  Regular coffee beans available in the market are typically sprayed with pesticides and chemicals. Organic coffee, which is devoid of such agents, may be a healthier alternative while not compromising on its taste.
• Limit coffee intake
  Like everything else, excessive doses of caffeine can suppress its health benefits and harm the body. Approximately two to three cups of coffee a day is ideal to make the most of this beverage. However, individuals with health issues like acidity should further limit their coffee intake based on the severity of their condition.
• Flavor coffee with cinnamon or cardamom
  Cinnamon and cardamom not only enhance coffee’s flavor but also offer several health benefits. Thus, it is a good idea to bring about some variation into one’s coffee routine by seasoning it with a dash of cinnamon or cardamom.
• Avoid artificial creamers
  Artificial creamers are typically loaded with sugar and preservatives, which can be harmful to one’s health. It is best to replace them with fresh cream or some milk or coconut milk.
• Add some cocoa to coffee
  Besides enhancing coffee’s flavor incredibly, cocoa releases feel-good hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which can help enhance one’s mood and elevate the mental health benefits of coffee. So, it is a good idea to add some cocoa powder to coffee.