What is caffeine?
• Caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system, found in coffee, tea, cocoa, and cola drinks. Its action combats fatigue, but it is a comparatively mild drug
It is also a “diuretic” i.e. it increases the urine output of the kidneys. Medically, caffeine is often included in headache pills, to counteract the dulling effect of the pain-killing ingredients.
• Abuse of caffeine is unlikely because of the large quantities necessary, but those who drink considerable amounts of coffee probably have a mild psychic dependence, because of the feelings of tiredness experienced when the stimulation wears off.
Is coffee memory improvement a myth?
• Other studies cast doubt on the benefits of coffee for our memories. One such study, published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reviewed the research conducted thus far on coffee and cognition.
• Then concluded that coffee’s benefits, though exist, are limited to moderately increasing our focus, mood, and concentration, especially in the elderly, but very minimal in the young.
Conclusions and cautions.
• There is an extensive amount of research on coffee and it’s effect on memory and other cognitive processes.
• The results vary significantly, but there does appear to be general support of the idea that coffee boosts cognitive functioning, especially in the old and elderly.
• Some research indicates that the source of the caffeine is important, showing a benefit from one source and not the other.
• Finally, a caution, lest you decide that you can consume endless amounts of coffee, based on this short summary of research alone. Everything must be done in moderation.
• For some people there are health risks with even low levels of caffeine, and very high levels of caffeine have been shown to have the possibility of being detrimental to your health. So before you consume excess coffee be medically guided.
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