Why Caffeine Is Actually Good For You

Caffeine has gotten a bad rep…

And yes, we’ll be the first to say that without mindful consumption, caffeine can introduce a plethora of less-than-desirable effects. However, there are also multiple powerful benefits that often get overlooked and ignored. And at Clevr, we’re actually pro-caffeine. Here’s why…

The history of caffeine

Caffeine has been used in many cultures across the world, in varying forms, for millennia. The first brewed tea has been traced back to 2737 B.C., and coffee dates back to 850 A.D. in Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder discovered the berries of an arabica plant by noticing how jumpy his goats were after eating them (The Harvard Gazette, 2020). Coffee and tea played a big role in many cultures, especially before there were available supplies of potable water, because they provided a safe drinking option, due to the boiled water (Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World, Michael Pollan).

Can caffeine be beneficial? 

It may come as a surprise to you that some of the effects of caffeine on your brain can act as a mild antidepressant. According to a study conducted by Harvard researchers, the risk of suicide was 50% lower in adults who consume caffeine compared to those who don’t. Another 2016 study revealed that caffeine consumption was significantly associated with decreased risk of depression. Caffeine increases the brain activity of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine (“feel good chemical”), serotonin and noradrenaline (The Harvard Gazette, 2013). 

Caffeine has also been found to provide relief for many people who suffer from migraines and tension headaches. Adenosine, a naturally occurring brain substance, goes up in blood levels during migraines. Research has found that caffeine blocks the activity of receptor molecules that adenosine binds to, which in turn blocks the effects of adenosine on the brain (Stanford Medicine).

Caffeine has also been found to have potentially powerful effects on protecting against and minimizing risk of various health conditions and diseases. Here are a few…

• Many sources of caffeine (coffee, tea and cacao) contain high amounts of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, which helps to prevent cardiovascular risk - including heart failure and type 2 diabetes (PubMed, 2020).
• When intentionally consumed, tea and coffee have been found to decrease the risk of several types of cancer and Parkinson’s (The Harvard Gazette, 2020). 
• Caffeine has benefits for Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke risk, bone health and creativity (Psychology Today, 2021).
• Consumption of coffee lowers liver enzyme levels and protects the liver against cancer and cirrhosis (The Harvard Gazette, 2015).
  
  

Finding your caffeine sweet spot

As with everything, intentional consumption is key. Finding your sweet spot with the amount and type of caffeine that you are consuming can make a massive difference in the way it affects your body and mind. Here are a few things to consider with your caffeine consumption:

• Remember: everything in moderation. Consider “microdosing” your caffeine, or taking routine caffeine breaks to allow your body to reset and not become dependent on caffeine. Consuming caffeine in smaller quantities at a time can support you in maintaining the “sweet spot” of caffeine consumption, which is around 60-100 mg for the average person (MindBodyGreen, 2020). Microdosing caffeine might look like drinking 3 cups of green tea throughout the day (~40 mg caffeine/cup), rather than two shots of espresso in the morning (~120 mg caffeine), or sipping your morning cuppa extra slowly, so that you are consuming the full 120 mg of caffeine over 2 hours.
• Balance your stimulation with down-regulation. Caffeine activates your sympathetic nervous system (“fight-or-flight”), so it is important to balance that by stimulating or activating your parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”). Down regulation of your nervous system means deactivating your sympathetic and activating your parasympathetic nervous system, to lower stress and bring you into a more calm and peaceful state (National Library of Medicine, 2007). Consider having a mug of our Sleeptime SuperLatte or meditating in the evening, to support your nervous system and brain in down regulating and preparing to sleep.
• Test caffeine in various forms. Caffeine from different sources is absorbed differently. We recommend trying at least 2 different forms of caffeine. Maybe start with coffee and matcha, and compare how you feel after drinking both!

Rather than cutting caffeine out of your diet completely, consider optimizing your consumption to reap the benefits that it has to offer. Most importantly, remember that everyone absorbs and responds to caffeine differently. Listen to your body and how it feels, and consume mindfully based on that, to ensure that your caffeine consumption is helping rather than hurting.

Author

Henny Rau

Henny is a coastal California-based writer. When not writing, she spends her days forging trails amongst the hills & fields of Marin county, paddling into waves or sharing garden meals with friends.