3 minute read
Health & Beauty
Wake up and smell the coffee
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With millions of us starting the day with our favourite brew or bean, we take a look at the invisible addiction we have to our beloved cuppa and its caffeine boost
With over 400 billion cups of coffee consumed each year in the UK alone, this natural stimulant is one of the most popular ingredients in the world. Eighty percent of the world’s population consumes a caffeinated product each day – often without being aware, as it’s in many foods and drinks you wouldn’t associate with it.
Caffeine is often referred to as a psychoactive drug, affecting our mental processes. The side effects of consuming too much are well publicised and include anxiety, tremors, irregular heartbeat and trouble sleeping. Too much caffeine may also promote headaches, migraine and high blood pressure.
Natural stimulant
Aside from tea and coffee, caffeine is also found in the seeds, nuts or leaves of certain plants. Due to the increase in demand for caffeinated products, many companies are beginning to produce synthetic caffeine. Although this is more sustainable (and chemically almost identical), the side effects can be much greater. Natural caffeine will provide a longer, more sustainable energy boost and is far less likely to be contaminated with chemical by-products. Chemical-based products may have a faster and stronger effect, but the come-down is going to be even worse.
Making your heart beat faster?
Health kick
It’s not all bad news. Reports show that caffeine can have massive physical and mental benefits. One study linked drinking 2-3 cups of caffeinated beverages per day to a 45% lower risk of suicide and 13% lower risk of depression. Having 3-5 cups daily may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by between 28% and 60%. Evidence also shows a 16%-18% lower risk of heart disease with 1-4 cups of coffee daily.
When it comes to exercise, caffeine may increase the use of fat as fuel. This can help the glucose stored in muscles last longer, potentially delaying the time it takes your muscles to reach exhaustion. Sports drinks are often high in caffeine as it activates areas of your brain and nervous system to improve focus while reducing tiredness.
Overall, caffeine consumed in moderate amounts can be a positive addition to your lifestyle. It’s certainly a healthier option over sugary fizzy drinks.
Moderation is the key
Myth buster
This time: quashing those rumours around the body’s natural process of sweating
1Men sweat more than women This is actually true. While women have just as many active sweat glands, men produce more sweat per gland than women do. This may be because testosterone enhances the body’s sweat response, as well as the fact that in general men have a higher muscle mass.
2Sweat always smells unpleasant Sorry, but you can’t blame an unpleasant whiff on the body’s natural reaction to hot weather or a long session at the gym, since sweat itself does not smell. Body odour occurs when bacteria on the skin break down acids in the oily fluid produced by your apocrine glands. The bacteria’s waste products are what produce the smell. Blame the bacteria!
3People sweat when they’re nervous This is entirely true: your sweat glands are activated by nerves, which can be sensitive to emotions, hormones and other stressors. When you feel under pressure, your body temperature rises, prompting your sweat glands to kick in. Some people experience this in the form of clammy hands, sweaty foreheads or all-over anxious dampness.
