Every day, people of all ages and backgrounds drink coffee. Some start their morning with a cup of joe, while others enjoy it in the afternoon to give themselves a boost when they need it most.
Coffee is a fantastic drink that can help improve your memory and overall cognitive function.
How A Little Caffeine Can Boost Your Memory
Increase blood flow to the brain
Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant that can be pretty effective at increasing blood flow. A study published in March of 2004 in “The Journal of Neuroscience” showed that when rats were given caffeine with their water, they had an increase in blood flow to the part of their brains where learning and memory are controlled.
This process helps to make connections in the brain, helping it to function at a higher capacity.
Improved concentration
A study published in “Neuropsychopharmacology” found that people who consumed caffeine had an increase in their ability to concentrate and pay attention than those who drank decaffeinated coffee or didn’t drink any coffee at all.
This is because caffeine can increase the level of dopamine in the brain, which makes people feel more focused.
Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
A study published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” showed that drinking just one cup of coffee a day reduced the risk of developing dementia by 60%, and it can reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease by 40 to 60% as well.
Increased energy/alertness
Not only does coffee make you feel more alert and able to concentrate, but it also gives you an extra boost of energy that makes working seem easier.
A study published in “Psychology and Health” found that people who drank caffeine had increased their ability to do mental tasks and increased their stamina.
Improved memory
Because coffee increases blood flow to the brain, it can also improve your ability to create memories. A study published in “Psychopharmacology” showed that consuming caffeine before taking a memory test resulted in participants being able to remember more of the words on the list than those who had not consumed caffeine.
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Improve mood
While coffee doesn’t have psychoactive properties, meaning it won’t make you high or cause you to feel euphoric like some recreational drugs, it makes people feel happier and more relaxed than drinking decaf or abstaining from any coffee.
A study published in “Neuropsychopharmacology” showed that participants who drank caffeinated coffee had an increase in their ability to deal with stress and feel happier than those who didn’t.
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Better preserved brain function as you grow older
The more you drink caffeine, the less likely your memory will decline as you age.
A study published in “Neurobiology of Aging” found that participants who drank two cups of coffee a day had better brain function, as well as an increased ability to remember things and stay mentally alert than those who didn’t drink any at all.
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Reduced risk for depression or anxiety
Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day can reduce your risk for depression or anxiety.
A study published in “Biological Psychiatry” showed that people who drank coffee were less likely to develop depression later on in life than those who didn’t drink any at all.
Lower risk of Type 2 diabetes
A study published in “Diabetes Care” showed that those who consumed three cups of coffee per day had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who either abstained from drinking coffee at all or drank decaf.
It helps you live longer
A study published in “The New England Journal of Medicine” found that participants who drank three to five cups of coffee per day had a 15% reduction in their mortality rate over 16 years.
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