The Perks of Caffeine
Scientists used to believe that caffeine caused pancreatic cancer and birth defects. We now know that it does not, says Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., a psychopharmacologist and professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, in Baltimore. In fact, research has shown that caffeine may play a role in preventing serious diseases, such as Parkinson's and diabetes. Here's a sampling of the good news about caffeine.
It increases alertness. Even in relatively low doses of 100 milligrams, caffeine makes people more alert in situations where "arousal" is low — when driving late at night, for example. Of course, a cup of coffee can also be useful when you simply want to stay awake for an early-morning meeting.
It makes you think faster and improves physical performance. Studies suggest that caffeine can help you perform a variety of cognitive tasks, such as recognizing visual patterns, more quickly. And caffeine can help you keep moving even when you've had too little sleep. Canadian researchers asked subjects who had not slept in 28 hours to march for two hours and then pile sandbags. A 400-milligram dose of caffeine before the "workout," followed by two 100-milligram doses midway through the test, helped the subjects maintain their physical effort at levels comparable with what they would have registered if they'd had a normal night's sleep.
It can reduce muscle pain. Taking caffeine one hour before exercise may reduce muscle soreness during exercise, according to a 2003 study published in the Journal of Pain. "Caffeine might stimulate the release of B-endorphins and hormones that depress the sensation of pain or discomfort," says Segall.
It helps treat headaches and increases the effects of some medications. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which is one reason it's used to treat headaches, explains Palfai. It also increases the speed with which analgesics (ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen) work by as much as 40 percent. Caffeine helps the body absorb medications more quickly, which is why it is added to some pain medications.
It may help prevent diabetes. Various studies, including one conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, have found that long-term coffee consumption is associated with less risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Frank Hu, M.D., one of the authors of the Harvard study, theorizes it may be because, caffeine stimulates muscles to burn fat and sugar more efficiently. Coffee also contains many antioxidants and minerals that may help prevent diabetes.
