A cardiologist, Dr. Juan Ignacio Weller, explains the effects of coffee on the body. When consumed, coffee is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it remains for 3-5 hours and can last up to 12 hours. Filtered coffee is recommended, as unfiltered coffee may increase bad cholesterol. Coffee can increase heart rate and blood pressure, but studies show that this effect is brief and transient, and moderate coffee consumption (3-5 cups per day) may actually reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Coffee can also improve brain function, but excessive consumption can lead to addiction and negative side effects. Additionally, coffee can increase acidity and worsen reflux and gastritis, but may also improve bowel movements. Overall, moderate coffee consumption is considered safe for most people, but individual tolerance and sensitivity may vary.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Dr. Juan Ignacio Weller is a cardiologist who discusses the effects of coffee on the body.
2. When you drink a cup of coffee, it quickly reaches the intestine and is absorbed almost immediately.
3. The coffee is metabolized in the liver and almost all of it is available in the blood within 30 minutes to an hour.
4. About 5% of the coffee is not metabolized by the liver and is eliminated almost unchanged in the urine.
5. Coffee has a half-life in the blood of about 3 to 5 hours, and its greatest effect is achieved within 5 hours.
6. Coffee can last up to 12 hours in the blood and in some patients even longer.
7. Drinking coffee late in the afternoon can interfere with sleep due to its stimulant effects.
8. Unfiltered coffee may increase bad cholesterol, while filtered coffee has no effect on bad cholesterol.
9. Coffee can make insulin work better and improve sugar control in the body.
10. Coffee can stimulate the heart and increase blood pressure, but the increase is brief and transient.
11. Studies show that people who drink coffee daily have fewer heart attacks, strokes, and die less from heart disease.
12. Coffee can change the structure of the heart and make it healthier in size and structure.
13. Patients who drink coffee have a lower incidence of arrhythmias, and coffee is safe for the heart even in patients with arrhythmia.
14. The recommended dose of coffee is 3 to 5 cups per day of 235 milliliters, which corresponds to 400 milligrams of caffeine.
15. Coffee can be instant, ground, or filtered, and preferably caffeinated, but decaffeinated coffee also shows benefits for cardiovascular health.
16. Coffee prevents adenosine from acting on its receptor in the brain, making us more awake and alert.
17. Coffee can make us addicted if we drink a lot of it every day, and withdrawal symptoms can occur if we stop drinking it suddenly.
18. Coffee can be used to treat headaches, but it can also worsen headaches in patients with migraines and other diseases.
19. There are studies associating coffee consumption with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
20. Coffee can have side effects such as irritability, nervousness, lack of concentration, and hand tremors if we drink too much of it.
21. Coffee can stimulate the muscle of the small intestine and large intestine, producing a reflex that takes us to the bathroom quickly.
22. Coffee can increase acidity, reflux, and gastritis in the stomach, and weaken a muscle in the esophagus.
23. Coffee has a diuretic effect, increasing the amount of urine and the number of times we urinate, but this effect is not significant in patients who drink coffee daily.
24. Coffee contains hundreds of beneficial substances such as magnesium, vitamin B, potassium, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories.
25. Adding sugar to coffee can alter its beneficial effects, and sugar should be eliminated from the diet.