Cruz 1 Brittany Cruz Terry Roylance CHEM 1010 15 April 2014 Is it in your Mind or Body?

The subject rather coffee is bad or good for you is often debated. Research based off the two ideas is endless and still on going. I love coffee and the effect it has on me I do not drink it for the energy, but for the opposite. I enjoy the calmness and relief I feel from the drink. Some may argue the effects of coffee are held in the persons mind. While others disagree stating it is consumed with antioxidants, stimulants, and enhancers that are beneficial for us. Unfortunately, I have heard a lot of ideas and am unsure of what to believe. Here is my chance to discover both harmful and helpful responses of the human body due to the intake of caffeine by drinking coffee. What is coffee? Coffee is a bean from a cherry like fruit grown from a coffee tree or shrub. They are typically grown in places with little to no harsh climate fluctuation. These trees live on average between 20-30 years and need rich soil, abundant amount of rain and sun. The coffee bean is estimated to have 25-100 different family plants. The two most popular plants are Robusta and Arabica. The natural caffeine that occurs in these plants is called trimethylxanthine (C8H10N402). Trimethylxanthine is a drug that has an effect on the brain such as cocaine or heroin does. Although, the effects of this addictive stimulate drug is less severe it can still play a harmful role when consumptions of the beverage are not moderated. From what researchers have discovered the target of the controversial subject is the caffeine. This was confusing for me because caffeine is consumed through other substances as

Cruz 2 well. However, the amount of caffeine found in coffee is up to three times more than any other caffeinated drink or food. So, what is the difference between decaf and regular coffee and how is this healthier? Decaffeinated drinks are processed by using the chemical formaldehyde. Even after the caffeine is attempted to be removed there are still traces of caffeine, but in smaller amounts. Additionally, Formaldehyde is a substance you do not want your body to intake regularly. This is why pregnant women should be regulating caffeine intake if any. Caffeine is able to cross the placenta to your baby. Our metabolism is matured, but our babies are still developing and cannot process the caffeine; also, the babies sleep pattern and growth is negatively affected. Other than women who are pregnant, the choice of having decaf over regular has not been proven to be healthier. It is simply a preference that you choose to better fit your daily needs. Remember your caffeine intake is not only coming from the coffee you drink but chocolate, soda, tea, and some over the counter medications. Experts are teaching 150mg 300mg a day is the range individuals should aim for. It is not a surprise the antioxidant packed beverage is the second most consumed drink around the world. After all it can be made and roasted for anyones desired taste for example; hot, iced, blended, dark roast and light roast. Lead author Shilpa Bhupathiraju, department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public health states, Coffee has a lot of bioactive compounds and phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid improves glucose metabolism in animal models that have been studied. It doesnt end there; coffee also has lignans compounds and is a good source of magnesium. This is why researches are continuously investigating the chances of coffee consumption possibly curing type 2 diabetes. Coffee is not the key to good health, but studies are showing caffeine with the help of proper foods and physical activity are demonstrating lower risks levels.

Cruz 3 The best way to receive these therapeutic benefits is by drinking a darker roast or medium roast rather than a lighter roast. One of the reasonings for this is its decreased acidity levels, this can be a helpful idea for those stomachs who cannot handle acidity very well. A medium or darker roast also contains a fuller body, but some may receive it as having a bitter taste. N-methylpridinium is the chemical being produced during the roasting process which lessons acidity. How N-methylpridinium is developed and released by the bean, glutamate reuptake is released by the body and is trigged from the caffeine of the bean. If you have ever looked carefully or started a workout plan you will have noticed they request that you add a supplement which contains caffeine. Caffeine triggers a mechanism in the brain that releases a growth factor called BrainDerived Neurotropic Factor. BDNF activates neuromotors which helps the body respond to muscle atrophy. In contribute, Caffeine has been proven to increase numbers of fatty acids circulating in the blood stream. Muscles are then able to absorb and burn those fatty cells and use it for fuel during the workout. By using the fat being circulated in the blood stream first, the body is able to store carbohydrates for its second fuel near the end. Dr. Duncans theory for drinking caffeinated beverages before weight lifting is due to the decreased adenosine levels produced by your body. In result, it inhibits forced muscular contractions and delays fatigue. Not only is adenosine affecting muscles, but it is affecting the central nervous system which improves motor skills and alertness by the consumption of caffeine. Dr. Mohr argues that the performance enhancer may not be worth the heightened blood pressure and jitters. Especially if you are estimating the amount of caffeine you should be taking and how long you should be waiting to take the caffeine pill before your workout.

Cruz 4 Constipation is a problem evidently we all face time to time. Laxatives in the forms of pills or foods which hold a hefty amount of fibers are your best choice. Evidently, people are using a good cup of coffee to do the trick as well. Among the variety of nutrients brewed coffee holds soluble cellulose fibers. But like all of the other benefits included in drinking coffee you must consume 3-5 cups. The negative side of 3-5 cups of coffee consumption is the urinary control in more ways than one. Over the time period of years caffeine decreases the amount of calcium consumed by your body by releasing it through urine; this will lead to rapid growth of osteoporosis. Other controversial research demonstrates high blood pressure along with high heart rate among healthy middle aged adults that consume only 1-2 cups of coffee a day. The reasoning for this includes the blocking of adenosine which would cause fast heart beats, muscle tension and nausea. Other discoveries supporting beneficial effects caffeine has on the body included; depression, memory loss, and Parkinsons disease. Caffeine increases dopamine and in result depression is eased. Dopamine is the chemical in a persons body which releases hormones causing the person to feel happy. Adenosine is another chemical in the body that inhibits memory in older women if they are having 3-4 cups a day. Women of who are exposing themselves to this amount of coffee on a daily basis are 30% more likely to remain cognitively impaired than women who are not. The caffeine found in coffee Protects against Parkinsons disease by preventing adenosine receptors to take into effect. It appears that caffeine in small amounts is neither harmful nor helpful for the body. However, caffeine in doses of 3-5 cups is the most effective way to activate adenosine receptors. It is these four receptors that help control neurotransmitters and immune responses. Two of the adenosine receptors regulate heart functions such as myocardial oxygen consumption and

Cruz 5 coronary blood flow. The additional two receptors have important functions in the brain which include release of dopamine and glutamate. Caffeine from coffee or tea act as non-selective antagonists which have the opposite effect to adenosine creating semi natural stimulate for the human body. Medically, this is very helpful for people with mental or heart conditions, because Xanthine derivatives like caffeine can be a healthier alternative than taking other medications. Caffeine in coffee is a strong drug, so strong that when it is brewed in water it removes 78-90% of heavy metals. Metals like lead and copper are dissolved due to the grounding of the coffee containing molecules not electrically nor negatively charged. Heavy metals which are positively charged are now attracted and removed. Stronger more potent coffee removes a higher amount of toxic chemicals. In comparison, to show how coffee is stronger than tea, tea can only remove one third of lead, but not copper. This settle but yet addictive beverage can cause muscle tremors, restlessness, stomach pains, and nervousness shown by the Mayo Clinic. It can get so bad that when consumption of the drink has stopped you will have withdrawals such as; headaches, fatigue, depression, and irritability. These may all sound familiar to you, because these are also reasons why some may start consuming caffeine from the beginning. Although, coffee is considered a drug there has been no reports of a person dying from drinking too much coffee. A person would have to have 80-100 cups in a quick time period to be seriously ill. Caffeine pills of 2mg have been found to be more lethal than drinking coffee itself. Individuals become reliant upon coffee and not so much on themselves and their natural capabilities. It seems as though by drinking coffee for reasons like increased physical activity and energy levels you are taking the easy way out; Therefore, crippling your body from producing its own natural enhancers.

Cruz 6 Over all experts have demonstrated repeatedly that caffeinated coffee is more helpful to a persons body rather than harmful. Moderation is important like any other intake of substances. The mind is very powerful, but rather you feel negative or positive after consuming caffeine from coffee it definitely affects the body. My advice would be to pay close attention to how you react to chemicals in coffee and if it is worth drinking.

Cruz 7 Work Cited "Top 15 Effects That Coffee Has on Your Health." Top 15 Effects That Coffee Has on Your Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. <http://news.softpedia.com/news/Top-14-CoffeeEffects-on-Your-Health-70537.shtml>. "Caffeine During Pregnancy | American Pregnancy on Caffeine." American Pregnancy Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. <http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/caffeine.html>. "Coffee." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee>. "Caffeinated vs. Decaf: Which is Better?." / Nutrition / Healthy Eating. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. <http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/caffeinated-vsdecaf-which-is-better.html>. "How Coffee Can Galvanize Your Workout." Well How Coffee Can Galvanize Your Workout Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. <http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/how-coffee-can-galvanize-yourworkout/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0>. Beller, Debra. "How Coffee Works." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 18 June 2001. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edibleinnovations/coffee4.htm>.