The coffee we eat daily has many interesting curiosities. It is well known that in moderate doses, the drink can offer several health benefits, including increased memory, concentration and overall mental health. However, when consumed in excess, caffeine can lead to increased heart rate, insomnia, anxiety and agitation. Here are 10 facts few know about coffee:
- Decaf Coffee Is Not Exactly Caffeine Free
A report by the US Journal of Toxicological Analysis looked at nine different types of decaffeinated coffee, and determined that they all contained some amount of caffeine in their composition. The dose ranged from 8.6 mg to 13.9 mg. - Caffeine begins to work in the body within minutes
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, caffeine takes about 30 to 60 minutes to reach its peak blood level. Studies have even shown that our body's alertness can be reached in just 10 minutes. Some people who do not regularly drink coffee are more sensitive to its effects than those who have it in their routine. - Coffee doesn't affect everyone the same way
Our body can process caffeine in different ways, according to gender, for example. Women tend to metabolize caffeine faster than men. Smokers process it twice as fast as non-smokers. Asian people tend to metabolize caffeine more slowly than non-caffeine ones. - Energy drinks often have less caffeine than coffee
It is normal to think that energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine. However, contrary to popular belief, many popular brands contain considerably less than a small cup of coffee. An 8.4g serving of a world-known energy source, for example, contains 76-80mg of caffeine. Already a cup of coffee has 95 to 200mg of the substance. - Black coffee beans have less caffeine than lighter beans
A stronger, fuller coffee flavor tends to lead to a higher dose of caffeine. But the truth is that lighter grains contain more of the substance. This is because greater roasting causes some of the caffeine in the grain to burn. - Caffeine can be found in over 60 plants.
It's not just coffee beans that have caffeine. Some tea leaves, cola nuts and cocoa also contain the substance. The stimulant is found naturally in the leaves, seeds and fruits of a wide variety of plants. - Not all coffee has the same amount of caffeine
According to a recent report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, popular brands showed variations in the amount of caffeine presented. - The average American consumes about 200mg of caffeine a day.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 80% of US adults consume caffeine daily at an individual dose of 200mg, which is still tolerated by the body. Doses greater than 500mg per day can already bring complications such as irritability, insomnia and rapid heartbeat. - Some countries consume even more than that.
According to a recent BBC article, Finland is the country with the highest caffeine consumption, with 400mg per day. Worldwide, 90% of people consume caffeine in some way, according to the FDA. - You may also find caffeine in foods
According to an FDA report, over 98% of our caffeine intake comes from beverages. However, they are not the only sources of the substance. Some foods, such as chocolate, may contain it, as well as the composition of certain medicines.
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