subject: Coffee, the Secret Killer [print this page] Coffee, the Secret Killer Coffee, the Secret Killer
Regular coffee drinkers take their early morning fix, claiming it wakes them up and makes them more efficient. Others insist moderate coffee consumption is perfectly safe and even has health benefits. However, as much as we all want to believe these random myths about the black goo making you live longer, stronger and helping you grow wings so you can fly... well sorry to be the rain cloud on your cuppa, but the truth must be out. So here's a list of the dark sinister side of the drink:-
1. Caffeine, the main active ingredient in your coffee, blocks adenosine (the chemical that makes you drowsy), and increases your concentration. However, long term drinking will increase drowsiness making you crave more to stay awake.
2. Coffee also has a laxative effect. This can make you dehydrated, causing headaches and tiredness.
3. Long term, heavy caffeine use leads to a rapid development of osteoporosis (low bone density).
4. Many people have controversial views on these pros and cons of coffee, especially when it comes to the heart. But let's face it; if caffeine increases concentration, it increases your heartbeat. Am I right or am I, well right? This is because the caffeine blocking adenosine constricts the brain's blood vessels. The heart beats rate increases, muscles tighten, the blood pressure booms, blood vessels near the surface constrict and more blood flows to the muscles.
5. Therefore, if you're into an active lifestyle, the heart beats can increase up to a dangerously high level, while triggering extremities shivering and nausea. On the long term, this may ultimately lead to heart attacks.
6. Caffeine causes sleep disturbances. Don't even think about drinking coffee or other caffeine containing beverages before sleep, unless you want to experience Inception (2010). And remember that the alkaloid needs 12 hours to be completely eliminated from your body.
7. Unfiltered coffee, has been linked to higher levels of cholesterol, this ultimately leads to heart problems. It has also been linked to weight gain.
So there you have it! Many researchers have found several links with caffeine in instant coffee being hazardous, but have also found several benefits. The side effects of drinking too much coffee can be quite lethal, but then again a little bit of variety in the right portions is beneficial and that goes for all food and drink.
