Coffee has a significant impact on shaping and influencing the varied cultures of hot beverage consumption across the world. Unlike in other countries, coffee in Malaysia is roasted with butter and sugar before being mixed with boiling water through a cloth filter.
Malaysians like coffee, whether it’s from a typical coffee shop, Kopitiam shops, or a fat-free latte with caramel melt as garnish at Starbucks. Malaysians consume 2.5 cups of coffee every day on average. But the question is whether coffee is beneficial or detrimental for you.
Coffee is a key source of caffeine, however, the amount varies depending on the coffee you drink, ranging from nearly nothing to over 500mg.
Increase Productivity
A study published in 2013 concluded that caffeine intake in moderate amounts can improve motor and cognitive performance. A recent study published in April 2018 found that serving coffee during meetings can improve the performance of those involved in the discussion.
Caffeine is known to be a receptor blocker for adenosine, a compound in the brain that causes fatigue and drowsiness, so it can improve physical and mental performance.
Stay Awake & Alert
A regular cup of coffee can not only help you stay awake but can also keep your mind focused. Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant that increases awareness, attention, the ability to focus, and increases overall energy levels.
But what happens if you consume a little too much coffee?
There’s nothing wrong if you have taken at least two cups a day but knowing the risk when you consume too much caffeine, here’s what can actually happen:
- Feeling restless and nervous
- The heart is pounding
- Nausea
- Feeling anxious all of a sudden
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Apart from that, do you know the difference between decaf and regular coffee? Well, it isn’t clear of caffeine as still contains 3% caffeine. The amount may be smaller but drinking 5 cups of decaf coffee or more is equivalent to 1 cup of regular caffeinated coffee.
It honestly depends on your daily lifestyle since most of us would like to be more alert, especially on days that are pretty gloomy. Hence why some would rather go for an espresso shot.
Just like how you’d usually take shots in a bar, this is one to wake you up and be more productive.
Starting with the first coffee insert in the morning, caffeine enters your bloodstream quickly. One cup of coffee has a rapid absorption of caffeine into your bloodstream which it takes about 20 minutes.
Then again as mentioned, it depends on your lifestyle, metabolism and genetics. If the body’s metabolism is higher, the caffeine contained in coffee is more likely to make you feel restless and nervous. Those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, osteoporosis and pregnant women are advised to avoid or reduce caffeine intake.
So regardless of what it is, it’s certainly better to consume coffee moderately unless you’re having one of those days where you “do” need it to function.