17 April 14:50
Professor of the Department of Biological Chemistry, Head of the Laboratory of Social Neurosciences of Krasnoyarsk State Medical University Olga Lopatina on International Coffee Day, which is celebrated on April 17, told how this drink is good for health.
According to the specialist, coffee is not only a tasty drink, but also pharmacologically active. It is popular because of its psychostimulant effect, taste and aroma. Modern medicine knows its healing properties.
“Caffeine is a purine alkaloid. It is the dominant physiologically active compound in coffee beans and soft drinks. It is one of the most commonly used psychostimulants in the world. When drinking a regular mug of brewed coffee (200-250 ml), an average of 70-140 mg of caffeine enters the body. The level of caffeine depends on the type of coffee beans, the degree of roasting and the brewing method. If you drink 2-3 such cups a day, it will reduce fatigue, improve cognitive function and increase vigilance, improve reaction speed,” explained Olga Lopatina.
The expert noted that in addition to caffeine, coffee also contains other biologically active substances: diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol), alkaloids (caffeine and trigonelline) and polyphenols. Due to its multicomponent composition, coffee has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Medium roast coffee is especially good in this. The component of roasted coffee, pyrocatechol, which is formed during heat treatment, also has anti-inflammatory properties.
According to scientists, coffee consumption reduces neuroinflammation, which is closely associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. These include: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease.
“Until recently, coffee was considered one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Caffeine is known to increase peripheral vascular resistance and also decrease blood flow in the brain, presenting the risk of hypertension as a risk factor for stroke. However, modern research has shown that there is no significant connection between coffee consumption and the risk of stroke. And some studies have even confirmed the preventive effect of coffee consumption on the incidence of strokes. In addition, caffeine and coffee polyphenols can speed up metabolism and make it possible to burn fat faster,” the professor emphasized.
However, when Abuse of coffee may increase the concentration of total cholesterol and decrease the level of high-density lipoproteins in the blood serum. Also Cardiovascular problems may occur, including increased blood pressure, tachycardia and arrhythmia.
“It is believed that a safe dose of caffeine for most adults is up to 400 mg per day. This is approximately 3-5 cups of espresso. One espresso, which is 100 ml of filtered coffee or 1.5 teaspoons of instant coffee, contains about 75 mg of caffeine. Coffee without additives is considered more suitable for a healthy diet. Lattes, cappuccinos and other coffee drinks containing dairy and sugar are higher in calories and may have an additional effect on bad cholesterol levels. Therefore, the best choice is classic freshly brewed coffee,” the expert explained.
Newslab now in MAX. News is also published in OK | VK | Zen | Telegram
Related links:
