Does Coffee Serve To Improve Our Mental Performance?

The recommended daily amount will depend on the type of coffee we consume, since the caffeine intake varies depending on whether we drink American, Viennese or espresso coffee

We tend to consume cups and mugs of coffee when we have a lot of work or an exam. It is said that this drink so popular around the world gives us energy and that strength that we lack when sleep wants to overcome us. However, there are also studies that reveal that caffeine is bad for our health because it increases stress levels, makes us more nervous and irritable.

In this article you will be able to answer the question of whether it serves coffee to improve our mental performance and also whether it is advisable for people who play sports.

Coffee and mental performance

Some doctors advise patients with excessive tiredness and chronic fatigue to drink a cup of coffee in the morning to improve their condition. Especially on cold autumn and winter days.

This drink contains, in addition to the well-known caffeine, a component called theobromine (also present in cocoa) that fights sleep and prevents depressive states. By releasing endorphins, it improves mood. For this reason, many people drink coffee when they feel comforted, happy and with recharged batteries.

It is worth noting that to take advantage of the benefits of caffeine and theobromine, you should not exceed the consumption of this drink. The maximum dose per day is one tablespoon (one cup if we add the water). However, there are people who consume more than 3 cups a day and need more and more to “enjoy” the benefits of the infusion.

Coffee and work

Companies that offer coffee to their employees do better. Several studies confirm that 80% of workers are more effective if they have a free coffee machine in the office.

In some countries more coffee is consumed than in others. In Spain or Mexico, for example, the average is one and a half kilograms per year and person. It is the quintessential drink of today’s desks and jobs.

Research from the London School of Public Health and Medicine (LSHTM) states that when caffeine enters the body, it helps make fewer work errors and improves performance each day. Especially those who have night jobs.

Lack of rest causes concentration and productivity problems in employees. For this reason, those who drink a coffee before starting the day and then repeat the intake in the middle of the morning are more effective.

Researchers from this institution say that caffeine plays an important role in maintaining alertness in people and that it influences the nervous system by increasing mental abilities. However, the benefits of coffee do not end there.

Other virtues of coffee during work

It is also used to:

• Increase perception.
• Encourage concentration.
• Improve response time to problems.
• Increase short-term memory.

In addition to benefiting from its properties, when drinking this infusion the simple fact of smelling its penetrating and so particular aroma also has effects. A fresh, steaming coffee is an incentive when people are in a bad mood, tired, stressed, or worried.

Beware of excess

Caffeine enters the cells of our body very quickly and therefore the effects are almost instantaneous. The problem lies in the amount that is consumed.

Drinking too much coffee can cause:

• Tremors
• Heartburn.

• Anxiety.
• Stress.
• Bad mood.
• Nervousness.
• Insomnia.
• Nightmares.

Types of coffee for every occasion

Although there are dozens of alternatives for consuming coffee, each of them serves something in particular. Pay attention to the type of coffee that you should choose on each occasion:

American

• It is prepared with ground coffee and water.
• Sugar is not usually added so it contains almost no calories.
• This drink is the one most consumed in the office.
• Do not drink more than 2 cups a day.

Cappuccino

• It has a bit of cocoa in addition to coffee. It is prepared with hot milk and is a smooth and sweet drink.
• It can be consumed at any time of the day.
• There are lactose-free options for the intolerant.
• Drinking more than one cup a day causes stomach bloating and bloating.

You come

• It is prepared with orange peel, roasted coffee, honey and whipped cream.
• It is recommended to consume it after lunch, because it helps in digestion.
• Its consumption is not recommended for those who have type 2 diabetes, since it makes it difficult to regulate glucose levels in the body.

Express

• Also known as espresso or plain coffee, it is the strongest of all because it has little water.
• It is what you drink when you need to increase neuronal activity quickly. In addition to being chosen at work, many students drink it before taking an exam.
• Its consumption should be limited because it increases the production of gastric juices that irritate the stomach lining.

And what about sports performance when drinking coffee?

Many athletes turn to coffee to improve their performance in the gym or when training. There are studies that affirm that to take advantage of the benefits of this drink it is necessary to consume 3 mg of coffee for each kilo of weight and always one hour before exercising.

Considering that an espresso has about 100 mg of caffeine, someone weighing 70 kg would have to drink two cups. However, these amounts may be too high for the stomach and nervous system.

Therefore,  other types of pre-workout drinks are recommended. For example, orange juice or the typical banana smoothie.