Caffeine-most Americans swear by it. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 80 percent of Americans consume caffeine every day. And 90 percent of folks around the world use caffeine as well.
We all know about the negative health effects of caffeine-like jitters. But what about the positive health effects that this legal drug offers?
In truth, caffeine can be beneficial in several ways. Not only can it assist when it comes to workout recovery, but it also may prevent cataracts.
Check out these eight ways caffeine does you right.
- It’s a non-morning person’s best friend.
- It may be good for eye health.
- It can improve memory.
- It can stimulate hair growth.
- It may protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
- Caffeine may make you happier.
- It may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
- It’s great when it comes to workout recovery.
Hello, morning. Ugh!
So just what is a non-morning person supposed to do to wake up and face the day? You guessed it -- consume a little caffeine.
This is why caffeine has long been considered one of the best ways to wake up fast. That’s because caffeine peaks in the blood within an hour. And best of all, these effects can last for four to six hours.
So just why is this?
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, which means it makes you feel more awake and alert. That’s a good thing when it comes to early morning meetings and long drives late at night.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts plague more than 24 million Americans aged 40 and older. And by the time Americans reach age 75, half have cataracts.
The good news is that caffeine may help. According to CaffeineInformer.com, caffeine may be able to prevent cataracts. That’s because researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that caffeine eye drops used in rats prevented cataract formation.
That said, actual caffeine consumption may not be a realistic measure in this respect. According to Caffeine Informer, this effort would take six cups of coffee to parallel the effects used in rats. Further research is needed to test this process in humans. So be on the lookout for what scientists discover next.
Did you know that caffeine can boost long-term memory? It’s true. According to Medical News Today, a study published in Nature Neuroscience found that caffeine may help in recalling details. The study involved 160 participants between the ages of 18 and 30 and focused on pictures. Subjects were asked to view pictures before and after consuming a 200 mg caffeine pill or a placebo. The next day, subjects were asked to look at a new set of pictures that contained both old and new images.
Those who took the caffeine supplement identified pictures more accurately than those who wereee given the placebo. The findings suggest that caffeine could have an effect on memory. How’s that for a memory boost?
Losing hair can be frustrating, but caffeine just may help.
Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that caffeine may stimulate hair growth. Hair follicles from balding men were exposed to differing amounts of caffeine -- and caffeine was shown to stimulate hair growth.
This is why rubbing solutions containing caffeine on the scalp may be beneficial to those who experience hair loss. So look for a caffeinated shampoo, and keep your eyes open for further research on this topic.
Some researchers say that caffeine may have the ability to protect against neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s. That’s why experts say that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine when you’re middle-aged may help to protect against dementia down the road.
Evidence backs this up. In fact, research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that caffeine protects against these types of diseases. Dr. David Elmenhorst, lead author of the study, says that this effect can transcend to Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease.
Caffeine and happiness may be a team. That’s because researchers have found that caffeine can improve mood. This is attributed to the fact that caffeine boosts serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline -- neurotransmitters in the brain known to be associated with depression. In fact, one study found that women who drink four or more cups of coffee daily (the caffeinated version) may have a 20 percent reduced risk of depression.
Caffeine has even been shown to reduce the risk of suicide. Studies have shown that drinking a few cups of coffee daily may cut the risk in half.
If you want to lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, reach for that java. A study led by the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that coffee can reduce the risk. In fact, those who increased coffee intake by more than a cup a day over a period of four years exhibited a decreased risk of 11 percent. However, those who cut coffee consumption by more than one cup per day increased their risk by 17 percent. That said, decaf didn’t work. So stick with the real deal.
According to Caffeine Informer, caffeine is known to help reduce pain. That’s why it’s found in some over-the-counter pain medications.
This effect applies to workout recovery as well. In fact, researchers at the University of Georgia discovered that about two cups of coffee can decrease pain after a workout by nearly 50 percent. That said, subjects weren’t regular caffeine consumers, so results could vary in those who consume caffeine daily. And caffeine may be able to reduce pain during a workout, too.
According to Caffeine Informer, an older study found that caffeine had the ability to reduce muscle pain associated with moderate exercise. Subjects who were given large doses of caffeine before cycling exhibited less muscle pain compared to those who were given a placebo.
So don't feel too guilty if that morning joe is your best friend. But as with everything else, don't overdo it.