From waking up and getting ready for the day ahead, to the afternoon pick-me-up before getting through the rest of the day, and as a night-cap with family and friends, coffee is as much social as it is chemical. This is so in the sense that coffee brings people together to socialize as they stimulate their minds for conversation and entertaining with the drink’s rich and dark brew.
But just what exactly does coffee have that attracts us to consume it on a regular basis? Let’s take a quick look. More than the rich taste of the extracted beans, coffee delights the senses: sight, smell, and taste most of all.
10 Minutes after first sip The caffeine in the coffee enters the bloodstream. This spikes the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as boosts alertness and energy. Soon enough, we will feel good as the caffeine’s effects peak. By this time, it has affected our adenosine levels, shutting off its receptors and keeping us up. As this happens, it also causes a release of dopamine and glutamine, making us feel awake and perky.
30 Minutes Our body starts to produce more adrenaline, which increases energy, allowing us to perform better at our tasks. 10 more minutes later, our body becomes more sensitive to mood-regulating neurotransmitter, serotonin. This causes us to further feel bright and cheerful.
1 Hour After consuming coffee, anxiety levels deplete as dopamine levels increase, giving a feel-good mood that explains why we may get addicted to caffeine. These do not last long, however, as the effects start to diminish by hour three, leading to a crash.
6 Hours Coffee’s diuretic effects begin, which gives us an extra reason to stay hydrated.
So despite some naysayers, coffee is still more than just a drink to coffee-lovers. It’s something precious and to be enjoyed, an indispensable part of our daily ritual.
