What Is Coffee? Other Names: Cafe, Café Arabica, Coffea Cruda

What is Coffee?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, known for its rich flavor and stimulating effects. It is derived from the roasted seeds of the Coffea plant and is a significant source of caffeine, a natural stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Other names include: Cafe, Café, Café Arabica, Café Robusta, Caffea, Coffea arabica, Coffea arnoldiana, Coffea bukobensis, Coffea canephora, Coffea Cruda, Coffea liberica, Coffea robusta, Espresso, Expresso, Java, Mocha.

Composition and Bioactive Compounds

Coffee is rich in bioactive compounds, including caffeine and chlorogenic acids (CGAs), which contribute to its health benefits. CGAs are known for their antioxidant properties, which help in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body1 3 5. These compounds are more abundant in green coffee compared to roasted coffee, although both forms offer health benefits1.

Health Benefits of Coffee

Cardiovascular Health

Regular consumption of coffee, particularly blends of green and roasted coffee, has been shown to improve cardiovascular health markers. Studies indicate that such coffee blends can reduce serum lipids, blood pressure, and body weight, while also enhancing plasma antioxidant capacity1. Coffee’s antioxidant properties are linked to the regulation of oxylipins, which are biomarkers related to cardiovascular diseases5.

Metabolic Effects

Coffee consumption has been associated with modifications in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. While caffeine can increase glucose and insulin concentrations shortly after consumption, chlorogenic acids in coffee may help modulate glucose uptake and gastrointestinal hormone secretion, potentially delaying intestinal glucose absorption2 4.

Antioxidant Effects

Coffee is a significant source of dietary antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage to macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. This protective effect is attributed to the high levels of chlorogenic acids found in coffee, which enhance the body’s antioxidant capacity3 6 9.

Potential Risks

While coffee has numerous health benefits, its consumption can also have some adverse effects. For instance, boiled coffee has been shown to increase serum cholesterol levels, unlike filtered coffee, which does not affect lipid profiles10. Additionally, caffeine can delay the circadian clock, potentially affecting sleep patterns if consumed in the evening7.

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Adverse Effects of Coffee

Cardiovascular Effects

Coffee consumption can lead to an increase in premature ventricular contractions, which are a type of cardiac arrhythmia, although it does not significantly increase premature atrial contractions1.

Caffeine intake can initially raise blood pressure, but this effect tends to diminish with continued consumption over time10.

Endothelial and Vascular Effects

Caffeinated coffee can acutely impair endothelial function, as measured by flow-mediated dilatation, suggesting a temporary negative impact on vascular health2.

Nervous System and Psychological Effects

Common adverse effects include increased nervousness, insomnia, and gastrointestinal complaints. These effects can persist even with regular caffeine consumption10.

Withdrawal from caffeine can lead to symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, and fatigue, indicating a potential for caffeine dependence3.

Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Effects

Coffee consumption can increase salivary alpha-amylase activity, indicating activation of the sympathetic nervous system, but does not significantly affect cortisol levels or self-reported anxiety4.

Coffee may interfere with iron absorption, particularly affecting those who are iron-deficient, as seen in studies with Guatemalan toddlers5 7.

Glucose Metabolism

While epidemiological studies suggest a protective effect against Type 2 Diabetes, acute coffee consumption can increase postprandial glucose levels, potentially disrupting glucose metabolism6.

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How has Coffee Improved Patient Outcomes?

Gastrointestinal Recovery

Post-Surgical Recovery: Coffee consumption has been found to significantly expedite the recovery of bowel function after surgeries, such as gynecological cancer surgeries and cesarean sections. Patients consuming coffee experienced reduced time to first flatus, defecation, and tolerance of solid food compared to those who did not consume coffee2 3 9. This suggests that coffee can be a simple and effective adjunct in postoperative care to enhance gastrointestinal recovery.

Metabolic and Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Metabolism: Coffee intake has been associated with improved post-load glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Studies indicate that coffee consumption can lead to lower levels of post-load glucose and insulin, and a higher metabolic clearance rate of glucose, although it does not significantly affect fasting glucose levels5 7. However, some trials did not find significant changes in insulin sensitivity with coffee consumption6.

Other Health Effects

Endothelial Function: Coffee, particularly caffeinated, has been shown to improve endothelial function, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. This effect is attributed to the phenolic compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid8.

Headache and Hemodialysis: In hemodialysis patients, coffee consumption did not significantly reduce the incidence of headaches compared to decaffeinated coffee, suggesting limited impact in this context10.

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Coffee Mechanisms of Action

Cholesterol Metabolism

Cafestol and kahweol, diterpenes found in coffee, are known to raise serum cholesterol levels by increasing VLDL and LDL cholesterol while slightly reducing HDL cholesterol. This effect is linked to changes in the activity of lipid transfer proteins, such as cholesterylester transfer protein and phospholipid transfer protein, although the exact mechanism remains unclear1 2.

Muscle Contraction

Caffeine enhances muscle contraction by potentiating calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which is particularly evident during low-frequency muscle stimulation. This suggests a direct effect of caffeine on skeletal muscle, contributing to its ergogenic properties3.

Glucose Metabolism

Chlorogenic acids in coffee can modulate glucose uptake and affect gastrointestinal hormone secretion, potentially delaying intestinal glucose absorption. This action may alter glucose and insulin profiles, indicating a role in glucose homeostasis4 9 10.

Circadian Rhythms

Caffeine affects the human circadian clock by delaying the circadian melatonin rhythm through an adenosine receptor-dependent mechanism. This can shift the body’s internal clock, impacting sleep and wakefulness patterns8.

Cardiovascular Effects

Coffee consumption can influence cardiovascular responses, such as blood pressure and heart rate, particularly during stress. The effects vary between habitual and nonhabitual coffee drinkers, with habitual drinkers showing a blunted cardiovascular response to stress5.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Coffee’s phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acids, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds can regulate oxylipins, which are biomarkers related to cardiovascular diseases, and protect against DNA damage6 7.

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Common Complaints Associated with Coffee Use

Jitteriness and Nervousness: Non-habitual coffee drinkers often report feeling jittery and nervous after consuming caffeine. This is a common initial reaction to caffeine in those not accustomed to its effects1.

Upset Stomach: Some individuals, particularly those who are not regular coffee drinkers, may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, such as an upset stomach, after consuming coffee1.

Sleep Disturbances: Coffee consumption can lead to reduced sleep duration. In a study, participants who consumed caffeinated coffee slept an average of 36 minutes less per night compared to when they avoided caffeine2.

Cardiac Arrhythmias: Coffee consumption has been associated with an increase in premature ventricular contractions, a type of cardiac arrhythmia. However, the increase in premature atrial contractions was not statistically significant2.

Differences Between Habitual and Non-Habitual Drinkers

Non-Habitual Drinkers: These individuals tend to experience more negative effects such as jitteriness, nervousness, and upset stomach when consuming caffeine1.

Habitual Drinkers: Regular coffee consumers often report positive effects such as increased alertness and decreased irritability. They may experience withdrawal symptoms like sleepiness and irritability when not consuming caffeine1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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