Are you one of those people who are not able to start the day without having a cup of coffee? Well, according to some studies, you are doing something very beneficial for your health. The consumption of coffee on an empty stomach has proven to have health benefits, in addition to being a carrier of natural substances with multiple qualities for the human body. One of them is caffeine, its main ingredient, which stimulates the central nervous system, generating a state of concentration, activity and improved cognitive capacity.
Food engineer Monse Meléndez explains that “[…] caffeine blocks adenosine, which is the neurotransmitter that gives us this feeling of tiredness”. He recommends mixing coffee and green tea if you want to improve concentration, as this stimulates L-theanine, the neurotransmitter responsible for keeping us awake and focused. It also speaks of the benefits on the gastrointestinal tract, which is stimulated by a single cup of coffee, making us go to the bathroom more easily.
Caffeine also stimulates the neurotransmitters responsible for generating dopamine and serotonin, so it also has positive effects on physical and mental well-being. Another aspect to highlight is the power it has to combat cellular deterioration. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), coffee is rich in antioxidants, whose mixture makes it effective in combating cell damage caused by free radicals, preventing chronic inflammation.
Fasting coffee intake
There are many people who consume coffee every day, but few of us are really lovers of this black beverage. It is more than a part of breakfast; it is almost a ritual through which many of us start our day. In addition to its taste and smell, this beverage offers a series of cognitive, intestinal and cellular benefits that almost go unnoticed. According to studies, the main benefit of consuming coffee on an empty stomach is that its antioxidant compounds are absorbed faster on an empty stomach.
Coffee benefits
The benefits of coffee consumption are not reduced to the good absorption of antioxidants in case of fasting, but covers more aspects of our body.
- It improves concentration. The consumption of coffee on an empty stomach directly stimulates the central nervous system, making us more alert, more concentrated and with a feeling of greater energy. Monse Meléndez, food engineer, explains “[…] caffeine blocks adenosine, which is the neurotransmitter that gives us this feeling of tiredness”. If you want to enhance these effects, he recommends mixing caffeine with green tea, favoring the stimulation of L-theanine. The mood can also improve after a cup, since caffeine stimulates the neurotransmitters that release serotonin and dopamine.
- Stimulates the gastrointestinal tract. Consuming a cup of coffee is equivalent to a 1200 calorie meal, so it generates a quick urge to go to the bathroom. According to Meléndez, “Coffee stimulates peristaltic movements, that is, those that move food through our intestine. These movements when drinking a cup of coffee are equivalent to those that happen with a 1200 calorie meal. That is why, after drinking coffee, we feel like going to the bathroom”. This can be a help for those who suffer from constipation.
- Combats cellular deterioration. The American Cancer Society (ACS) stated that the combination of multiple antioxidants present in coffee fights cell damage caused by free radicals. It thus reduces cellular aging and chronic inflammation. Some of the antioxidants present in coffee are caffeine, polyphenols, trigonelline, chlorogenic acids, cafestol and kahweol, among many others.
Remember that, in spite of the benefits that the controlled consumption of coffee may have, you should always consult your doctor before drinking coffee or stimulant drinks of any kind.
Do you know what new use they want to give to the waste generated by coffee? You won’t believe it!