Coffee: Your Morning Booster

By Ioana Moga

Ioana Moga
Insights of Nature
3 min readMar 19, 2024

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Coffee. One word, multiple definitions, according to who you ask. But to put it a simple way, that applies to almost everyone, it is one of the most popular drinks known to man.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

It is one of the major elements in the morning routines of millions of people, and obviously for a good reason. Coffee is a great way to start your day, as it keeps you alert and focused, simply put awake. However, not everyone is affected by caffeine, for some people, it seems to have little to no effect at all. Why is that? The answer can be found in genetics.

So why does coffee not work for some people? The answer may lie in genetics.

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It inhibits the function of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep while suppressing wakefulness. It enhances alertness, mood elevation, and cognitive function by inhibiting adenosine and increasing the levels of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine.

However, caffeine’s efficiency differs across individuals due to genetic variances. According to studies, persons with a certain version of the CYP1A2 gene metabolise caffeine faster than others. This implies they may require more caffeine to get the same impact as someone who metabolises caffeine more slowly. Other genes associated with the adenosine receptor, such as ADORA2A and ADORA1, may also influence how an individual responds to coffee.

Additionally, the quantity of caffeine in coffee varies significantly based on the variety of coffee, brewing technique, and serving size. A regular 8-ounce cup of coffee has around 95 milligrammes of caffeine, although certain specialty coffees may have up to 500 milligrammes. The variance in caffeine concentration can also influence how a person reacts to coffee.

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Nevertheless, there are certain risks associated with caffeine. While moderate caffeine use is typically healthy for the majority of people, excessive caffeine consumption can cause a variety of health issues. Some of the hazards connected with caffeine are:

1. Insomnia: Caffeine can disrupt sleep and induce insomnia, particularly if ingested late in the day.

2. Anxiety: Caffeine can cause anxiety and uneasiness, particularly in those who are sensitive to it.

3. Heart issues: Caffeine can produce a fast pulse and high blood pressure, which can be problematic for persons who already have heart problems.

4. Dehydration: Caffeine is a diuretic, therefore consuming high amounts can lead to dehydration.

5. Addiction: Caffeine is a stimulant chemical that can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms, including headaches, exhaustion, and irritability.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

To put it simply, coffee is a complicated beverage with varying effects on various people. Caffeine’s effects can be influenced by an individual’s genetics, as well as the amount of caffeine in coffee. While moderate caffeine use is normally harmless, excessive consumption can cause a variety of health issues, including sleeplessness, anxiety, cardiac difficulties, dehydration, and addiction. It’s critical to monitor your caffeine consumption and listen to your body’s reactions to coffee.

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Ioana Moga
Insights of Nature

A 17 year old who has a passion for writing, graphic design and is, of course, a book lover