Hi! 👋 This is Aleks, for yet another cup of coffee.
Today we discuss some topics about the chemistry of coffee and their effects on our body, that I have learned about in the past period. As much as I enjoy spreading my knowledge about coffee, I care for you and your wellbeing. Let this article alone be educational only and not a trigger for you to experiment with coffee in a wrong way. My only idea is to illustrate why are people so dependent on coffee and its affects on body. Let’s stay there.
Coffee is a whole universe. It has so many health benefits that it really makes it medical. I guess it is. We love it for many reasons but dominantly because of caffeine. Most often this is the trap in which we are dragged. Caffeine combined with the rest of the chemicals that make the coffee is the substance of choice to wake up, to go over our hangovers, stimulate focused work. But caffeine is not exclusive to coffee. There are plenty of other herbs and plants that contain caffeine. Yerba Mate or Black tea, many others. But I would like to promote a culture in which coffee is not not seen as useful drink only because of its stimulant properties. That is how we dive in an ocean of coffee blends, types and brands, that contain lots of caffeine but close to zero quality.
Why does coffee lift us up?
Coffee dose not lift us up. It does not give us energy or removes our drowsiness. Our brain as a byproduct of its activities produces a component called Adenosine which is directly related to the amount of energy the brain had used. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that carries energy into the cells. When that energy is spent, ATP breaks down to few other components amongst which Adenosine. When Adenosine reaches the adenosine receptors in the brain, we get information that it's time to renew. Sleep, rest, chill. If the adenosine does not reach its receptors in the brain, neural activity will not slow down and brain will continue to function as before. Of course with less energy and capacity. But you might never feel tired. Caffeine serves exactly as that. It prevents adenosine reach the adenosine receptors. It does not wake you up - it fakes it. Once it wears off, you will get twice as tired and sleepy than before. Use that timeframe wisely.
The caffeine-cortisol connection
Will coffee always make you feel less tired? No. It works usually in the periods of the day when the body is less alert and more exhausted. Thus, waking up to a fresh cup of coffee is not always the best idea to start your day with. As we wake up, the body (assuming a healthy night sleep), has enough of cortisol, the "stress hormone" or a component that keeps us more alert and awake. Putting caffeine into the blood at those periods will not give any results as the body is already fully awake and alert. Quite the opposite it might increase our anxiety. Give one hour or two after you wake up to have your first cup. There are few time-slots when cortisol is peaking in your body during the day - getting to know your body might help you recognize when these periods happen and how do use the bottom of it to consume coffee.
The chemical hack - Nootropics
One of the newer episodes for me in my life was when I got to learn about the combination of coffee and amino acids, or more precisely Caffeine and L-Theanine. It's a very well known Nootropic combo that has a lots of health benefits both physical and cognitive. L-Theanine is an amino acid that impacts the anxiety and stress levels by decreasing the stimulant brain chemicals responsible for the increase of the stress components (cortisol, testosterone, etc). Some people consume it before going to sleep for improved sleep and relaxation. Perfectly safe.
The combination of something that stimulates the brain into relaxation and something that puts the brain in an alert state, the caffeine, creates a whole new state - focus mode. Thus, 200mg of L-Theanine and a cup of coffee (no decaf!) in a period of the day when the cortisol levels are not peaking might create a perfectly focused machine out of you. To me it worked in a great way. It is not something which is very obvious, as in "uh it hit me". It's more like "ok I've been doing that the past hour and I didn't even notice". However, it doesn't work for everyone. It has a lot to do with how your body works. But I honestly recommend it, educate yourself on the topic and then maybe try it.
Coffee and its counterpart - Alcohol
Another common combination with coffee is alcohol. alcohol plays a role of a sedative and coffee as something that makes you alert, an agitator. When combined, the effects of the coffee eliminate the sedative effects of the alcohol. Of course if abused this doesn't make any sense, and personally I would not recommend deliberate mixing of coffee (caffeine in general) with alcohol. But the fact that Italian dinner ends with a digestive and coffee has a reason. Coffee would wake the body up just enough so that you don't fall asleep after the huge pasta bawl, but alcohol, processed rather later, will make sure you don't stay awake the whole night because of that one espresso shot. Also, coffee and a good bitter makes perfect digestive.
Conclusion
So, try out things but be careful. Remember that the effects that caffeine has on the body combined with other chemicals should not be long term in any form. Do not combine L-Theanine and coffee every day, and even less, alcohol and coffee. Do it with decency and you will enjoy coffee even more.
Do not hesitate to reach out in case you have some feedback. I am exposing lots of scientifically proven facts that I had read about in the past. If you find inconsistency or false statement amongst the written and the facts, please let me know, I also want to learn about those topics more!
Have a nice Sunday!