(Food-Beverage-News.Com, November 12, 2013 ) London, London -- You can't help but notice that winter is on its way - it's colder, darker, the days seem shorter, and you may also well find that it's harder to wake up in the morning. After all, who doesn't want to spend just a few more minutes in that snug, warm bed while you summon up the willpower to face the elements as you go shopping or head off to work?
And many of us turn to that morning cup of coffee (or two or three) to get us fueled for the day ahead, adamant that a good dose of caffeine will help us to come to.
The co-owners of BeMedFree unearthed some research that suggests it may all just be an illusion.
But before we get to that, why exactly does coffee (or, more accurately, the caffeine it contains) act as a stimulant?
The answer lies in a brain chemical known as adenosine.
"Basically, adenosine is like a natural anti-stress potion - it makes sure that you don't get overly stressed, and that you get the rest you need."
However, it turns out that this particular chemical does not get flushed out of your body throughout the day. Instead, it accumulates, and once the levels become high enough, you start to feel sleepy.
But then along comes a big cup of coffee, with all that caffeine, and it crosses the blood/brain barrier and blocks the actions of the adenosine, which means you can continue for longer, delaying the sleep wave (which by the way is going to hit you sooner or later, no matter what you do).
Not only does it stop you feeling like you need a nap, but it also helps to speed up the release of energy (hence the so-called caffeine high), increase the oxygen flow to both your brain and muscles, and speed up your heart rate.
Doesn't this sound like coffee should wake you up then?
"Well, yes, but then we come to the research we mentioned earlier."
Scientists at Bristol University, in England, conducted tests on over 300 participants, and concluded that the coffee does not exactly wake you up - it only feels like that because it helps you recover from several hours of caffeine withdrawal while you're asleep.
Is this research reliable, and does it matter?
Well, they also advised that people should stop drinking coffee first thing in the morning as it can increase your blood pressure.
This is, however, in direct contradiction to various other studies, including one by Rob van Dam, a scientist from Harvard, who concluded that up to six 8-ounces cups of coffee a day are perfectly safe and does not cause high blood pressure.
"Like with so many things in life," the co-founders of BeMedFree said, "you need to listen to what your body is telling you, and if you're one of the millions of coffee lovers who feel that your morning shot of caffeine helps you wake up, then by all means carry on drinking that morning coffee (http://www.amazon.com/Gourmet-Trade-Organic-Whole-Coffee/dp/B00EOSR3MM)."
About BeMedFree.com
BeMedFree.com offers a variety of natural (i.e. not chemical-based) products and supplements for both humans and pets. The owners of the company have a policy of never selling products that they wouldn't use themselves.
