Coffee provides energy, affects a person’s endurance capacity, and can even improve their mood. However, if consumed improperly, it may cause sleep disturbances, adrenal gland fatigue, and dehydration.
اضافة اعلان
According to Irina Lyalina, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the Russian University of Education, drinking coffee on an empty stomach—especially in hot weather—is very harmful. Nevertheless, coffee has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and cardiovascular system, meaning blood flows faster and nourishes all the organs. Caffeine also increases adrenaline secretion, which speeds up the heartbeat, causing blood to circulate more rapidly through the tissues and organs, making a person feel a burst of energy and vitality.
The expert points out that caffeine stimulates the production of cortisol and dopamine, which explains its energy-boosting effects and the psychological dependence on the drink. Athletes often use caffeine during training to increase endurance and strength. However, if a person is already fatigued, excessive coffee intake can have the opposite effect, such as adrenal gland exhaustion and the development of chronic fatigue.
Additionally, coffee affects digestion. The aroma and taste stimulate bile flow, but coffee itself thickens bile due to its drying effect. Therefore, the expert recommends monitoring water intake when regularly drinking coffee.
She says, "Caffeine increases the secretion of the pleasure hormone—dopamine. That’s why most people feel pleasure when drinking a cup of coffee, which is the main reason for addiction to this drink. But when drinking large amounts, this feeling disappears, leaving only the addiction. The safest dose is 300 mg of caffeine daily at most, equivalent to two cups of coffee."
The doctor notes that the daily dose may vary according to body weight. For example, a man weighing about 95 kg can consume up to four cups, while people with lower body weight are advised to limit themselves to just two cups.
According to her, exceeding the allowed limit—especially when feeling tired—may increase stress, reduce concentration, and impair the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Coffee also negatively affects sleep by reducing its depth, causing insomnia, and making rest superficial.
She emphasizes that excessive coffee consumption in hot weather is dangerous because its diuretic effect leads to fluid loss from the body. Coffee also increases blood flow to the kidneys and disrupts sodium absorption, resulting in dehydration. Therefore, she advises drinking coffee only in the morning, no more than two cups daily, and avoiding adding milk and sugar because the former can cause swelling and the latter is harmful to health.
Izvestia Newspaper
