Is the Caffeine in Coffee Friend or Foe?

If you knew you could take a potion that might dramatically reduce your chance of getting Parkinson’s disease, cirrhosis of the liver and gallstones while helping prevent colon cancer, dibetes or possibly even Alzheimer’s disease, would you drink it? 

Chances are, you already do, along with 90 percent of other American adults. In fact, if you drink two or more cups of coffee a day, a number of studies have suggested that the chemical compounds you’re consuming in your coffee may be preventing certain health problems. 

Of course, coffee has its downside as well. It can make you jittery, give you heart palpitations and interfere with your sleep if you drink too much, or drink it too late in the day. 

Although there are a number of compounds in coffee, a chemical called trimethlyxanthine, or caffeine, is responsible for a number of its effects. Caffeine is an addictive psychoactive stimulant whose effects on the brain and body are similar to those of methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin, but are milder and less dangerous than those of its illegal cousins.

The shape and chemical composition of caffeine are similar to that of another compound called adenosine, which is naturally found throughout your body and is extremely important for brain activity. In the brain, one of the jobs of adenosine is to bind to molecules called adenosine receptors. When adenosine binds to its receptors, it slows nerve cell activity and causes sleepiness, while making blood vessels open up to give the brain more oxygen during sleep.

Caffeine mimics adenosine so well that it can bind to the same receptors, making it so adenosine can’t bind and do its job. Imagine all the locks in your house being filled with false keys, making it so that you can’t get the real keys in the locks and you’ll get the picture. 

Your body responds to the lack of adenosine binding in a number of ways. The nerve cells in your brain actually become more active and your body produces adrenaline, causing your heart to beat faster and giving you extra energy. Dopamine levels also rise, in much the same way they do if someone takes methamphetamines, producing a “euphoric effect.” 

The effects of caffeine normally last for around six hours, but may last longer if you are taking certain prescription medications. If you drink coffee too close to bedtime, caffeine will still be blocking the adenosine receptors in your brain and you won’t be able to sleep properly.

Caffeine is addictive and it can take several days to withdraw from its effects if you give it up. A regular coffee drinker who suddenly forgoes caffeine will often experience headaches and irritability as their body withdraws from the addiction.

Drinking too much coffee, or drinking it at the wrong time of day can have negative effects on health. Considering all of the potential health benefits, however, you may want to think twice before quitting it completely.

Besides, Minnesotans love their coffee. 

If you want to support local coffee brewers, you can find amazing coffee at Seven Stars Coffee House, owned by an Edina couple and featuring beans perfected by artisan roasters here in the metro. And don't forget about , which got its start right here in Edina.