What caffeine does to your body and brain

Caffeine has a number of health effects on the body and brain.
Depending on how you consume it, caffeine could improve memory, boost athletic performance, and be good for the heart.
But too much of it may also cause irritation or anxiety.

Many of us can't start our day without a jolt of caffeine.

Various caffeinated drinks affect your health in different ways. Coffee itself seems to be associated with significant health benefits, including reduced cancer risk, improved liver function, and a lower risk for cognitive decline. But other caffeinated beverages like energy drinks have surprisingly high sugar levels, which may have negative health effects but.

But caffeine itself can do a lot, including boost athletic performance, improve memory, and — according to one recent review of studies — it may improve heart function.

The popular stimulant has both positive and negative effects. It makes most of us feel more alert, awake, and focused, but too much can also backfire.

It also affects a host of processes in our bodies, including our digestion, metabolism, and vision.

Here's what's really going on after you drink a cup of joe.

Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world.

It makes us feel alert, at least for a while.

more of a molecule called adenosine

makes new receptors for the sleep-inducing molecule to start latching onto again

One recent review of studies found that caffeine may improve heart function.

Many researchers have assumed that caffeine could potentially cause trouble for people with heart problems like arrhythmias (irregular heart beats).

But a recent review of research found this didn't seem to be the case. Looking at a number of studies with more than 330,000 participants, researchers found that irregular heartbeat frequency decreased between 6 and 13% in regular coffee drinkers. That same review found that people who'd had a heart attack who consumed caffeine (an average of 353 mg per day, or a little over 3 cups of coffee) actually had an improved heart rate and fewer irregular heartbeat issues.

The researchers think that by blocking adenosine, caffeine may reduce heart risks, since adenosine triggers irregular heartbeats.

It boosts our mood.

By blocking adenosine’s relaxing effects

However, caffeine also pumps up our adrenaline levels, which can leave us irritable.

It improves our memory.

ine has been shown to improve certain types of memory — especially the ability to remember lists of words and straightforward information — in some (but not all) studies. Some research shows that it helps those memories “stick” in the brain as well, making it easier to recall that information later.

This enhancement, however, seems to be strongest for people who aren’t already hooked on caffeine in the first place.

One recent study also indicates that extroverts get more of a working-memory boost from caffeine than introverts. This may explain why some studies have observed a more significant effect than others. Stephen Braun, the author of “Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine,” explains that individual’s reactions to caffeine vary greatly — while one person might thrive on a high level of caffeine, it’ll make another person unable to get anything done.

Too much caffeine can lead to a decrease in performance across the board, however.

Caffeine can increase our attention span.

especially for someone

shows that commercial drivers

But some of caffeine's benefits may come from the fact that it's hooked us.

It might tamp down your appetite — but only for a short while.

Caffeine helps some medicines work faster.

2007 study of 24 people

It's one of the best athletic performance enhancers out there.

told The Atlantic

athletes notable performance

Caffeine sticks around in our bodies for a long time.

It takes about 5 or 6 hours

Caffeine can give you heartburn.

Regular coffee consumption is associated with a longer lifespan.

Two recent, major studies have found evidence that people who drink a lot of coffee are less likely to die an early death.

Researchers who've analyzed the diet and health of hundreds of thousands of individuals have suggested that heavy coffee drinkers are less likely to die from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, among other conditions.

However, decaf coffee seems to convey many of these same health benefits — so even if you are looking to cut down on caffeine, you shouldn't necessarily end your coffee habit.

What caffeine does to your body and brain

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