Ah, coffee! The wake me up in the morning, get up and go drink. But is coffee really good for you? Well, for the most part, yes, as it has antioxidants that help kill those scary free radicals in your body and, consequently, help to reduce oxidative stress.
But you are saying, huh?? What? Don’t worry; we won’t let you hang with these unfamiliar terms without explaining or providing the benefits that can result. We will also discuss how to keep free radicals at bay.
We’d like to note that drinking coffee may have some adverse effects. If you’d like to know more about coffee’s possible adverse effects, click here.
Let’s Start by Talking About Oxidative Stress – What is It?
Any substance that loses electrons is called oxidized and labeled a reducing agent. Any substance that gains electrons is the oxidizing agent.
Oxidative stress is the process where cells are oxidized, and in the case of cells in the human body, they die, specifically in the brain. So, the idea is to minimize these reactions.
The cells in the brain are called neurons. There are billions of them in our brains, and they communicate by sending impulses to each other, which creates thought and maintains memory. This process is the psychological representation of how we think.
Neurons can get damaged by some nasty fellers called free radicals, cells containing missing electrons. Since free radicals lack electrons, they look for neurons that have the electrons they need, and subsequently, they attempt to steal them from healthy cells, and then the neurons become defective. This can inhibit the cells from making contact with other neurons, damaging the brain’s cognitive process.
With that said, it would take billions of these mutations actually to cause a brain malfunction; however, the more that free radicals are free to rob and steal (the more they keep attacking healthy cells), the more hazardous it can become for us.
So, What are the Actual Consequences of Oxidative Stress?
Memory loss is one possibility, but the situation can worsen if the free radicals are not contained. Oxidation can also cause fatigue, eyesight issues, headaches, and increased susceptibility to infections by diminishing the immune system. Studies have shown that they may also be responsible for age-related wrinkles and gray hair, so seniors take note! The risk of acquiring diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Disease is also a possibility.
How Do We Keep Free Radicals at Bay?
Simple. Eat the right foods and drink the right drinks!
Eat and drink foods that contain antioxidants – the entities that fight off free radicals, so the more antioxidants in our bodies, the stronger our immune systems and the healthier we can be.
Enter Coffee!
A study by the Laboratory of Neuroscience in Boston stated, “Coffee can have direct effects on the brain and also reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.”
So, coffee is rich in antioxidants. The result is you are drinking an antioxidant booster, so one (or more – but in moderation) coffee cup per day may keep the doctor away!