Every day, new and often contradictory information emerges about the effects of coffee on the human body. It is widely believed that by oxygenating the brain, it improves our concentration. But do we really need caffeine to work effectively? And do we know how to drink it to get results?
An effective weapon during a session
Coffee, as a stimulant drink, is also extremely popular with students. This is because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which cause drowsiness. It is therefore not uncommon for it to be a last resort the night before an important exam. - Coffee does indeed improve short-term memory, but the effects fade with frequent use. The body gets used to the amount of caffeine taken in, so when we want to stimulate ourselves, it demands a higher dose. It is therefore best to minimise your caffeine intake two weeks before the exam. After this weaning, the effects of coffee will be more noticeable to us.
Which coffee is most effective?
There are currently two main species grown in the world: Arabica and Robusta. Each comes in different varieties. Arabica, due to the nice shape of the bean, is generally considered to be the more noble. It contains a maximum of 1.7% caffeine, and coffee brewed from it has a delicate, bitter-free flavour, with a hint of acidity. 80% of the world's coffee plantations are made up of different varieties of Arabica. The second species, Robusta, which can withstand harsh climatic conditions, is more bitter and sharper in flavour. It contains more caffeine - from 2 to even 4%. - In Poland, blends with a predominance of Arabica are more popular. In Italy - the home of espresso - it is usual to combine both types. It is very important to pay attention to the number of blends, i.e. types of beans contained in the chosen blend - if there are between five and eight, the coffee has a deeply complex flavour and beautiful aroma. Drinking just such a coffee, in the right quantities, has a beneficial effect on memory and ability to focus.
The best bet is quality
The age-old argument between instant and brewed coffee seems endless. Instant coffee contains chemical compounds that improve taste and aroma. Its production is based on a complex process to which the beans are subjected. Of its various types, the best choice is freeze-dried coffee, which is extracted from frozen coffee infusion. Objectively, it has not been established which coffee - instant or brewed - is healthier for our body. However, it is worth remembering to be guided first and foremost by quality rather than price when choosing. Often, cheaper coffees are of inferior quality and their taste and aroma leave much to be desired.
