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Medical Uses and/or Benefits of Coffee
As a stimulant and mood elevator. Caffeine is a stimulant. It increases
alertness and concentration, intensifies muscle responses, quickens
heartbeat, and elevates mood. Its effects derive from the fact that its
molecular structure is similar to that of adenosine, a natural chemical
by-product of normal cell activity. Adenosine is a regular chemical that
keeps nerve cell activity within safe limits. When caffeine molecules hook
up to sites in the brain when adenosine molecules normally dock, nerve
cells continue to fire indiscriminately, producing the jingly feeling
sometimes associated with drinking coffee, tea, and other caffeine
products.
As a rule, it takes five to six hours to metabolize and excrete caffeine
from the body. During that time, its effects may vary widely from person
to person. Some find its stimulation pleasant, even relaxing; others
experience restlessness, nervousness, hyperactivity, insomnia, flushing,
and upset stomach after as little as one cup a day. It is possible to
develop a tolerance for caffeine, so people who drink coffee every day are
likely to find it less immediately stimulating than those who drink it
only once in a while.
Changes in blood vessels. Caffeine's effects on blood vessels depend on
site: It dilates coronary and gastrointestinal vessels but constricts
blood vessels in your head and may relieve headache, such as migraine,
which symptoms include swollen cranial blood vessels. It may also increase
pain-free exercise time in patients with angina. However, because it
speeds up heartbeat, doctors often advise patients with heart disease to
avoid caffeinated beverages entirely.
As a diuretic. Caffeine is a mild diuretic sometimes included in
over-the-counter remedies for premenstrual tension or menstrual
discomfort.
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