The Health & Pharmacology Of Coffee

Although drinking two or three cups of coffee daily is fairly normal, five, six or even seven can be a health risk. If you think the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is fairly standard, think again. Different brands can have as much as twice the amount of caffeine per cup. Keeping in mind that caffeine is essentially a stimulant, keeping track of your daily intake might just be an excellent idea.

Effect on the Nervous System

When you drink a cup of caffeinated coffee, the caffeine is rapidly absorbed in the digestive system and transferred to the bloodstream. The effects of caffeine peak in about one hour, as it stimulates the nervous system and the brain, enhancing your mood, energy level and alertness. You experience the sensation of thinking more clearly, being more efficient or feeling more adept at accomplishing your tasks. However, there are several factors that can increase or minimize how long that cup of coffee will affect you.

Effect on the Cardiovascular System

When you drink coffee, your cardiovascular system goes on short-term overdrive. It increases your heart rate, which in turn increases your blood flow and your respiratory rate. Even your digestive system and metabolic rate are affected. Additional factors that affect how you react to that cup of coffee include how much coffee you have consumed, your sex, height, weight, general health and your sensitivity and tolerance to caffeine.

Know Your Limits

The more coffee you drink on a regular basis determines your tolerance level. When you exceed that tolerance level by as much as one cup of coffee, it can cause sweating, nervousness, anxiety, as well as an upset stomach and insomnia. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, conditions such as "brain fog," slow or inefficient metabolism, and increased medication side effects can also occur.

Addiction

Because the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant, you can become mildly addictive and experience symptoms of withdrawal when you start to cut back. You might experience a headache, mild to moderate fatigue; you may become irritable or depressed and experience problems with concentration; however, these symptoms usually only last a few days to a week. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you plan to cut back on your caffeine intake, you would probably fare better if you gradually reduced consumption.