Thursday, September 24, 2009

Does Coffee Help You Concentrate

Does Coffee Help You Concentrate?








There are many associated health benefits to coffee consumption, and many myths. Increasing concentration by drinking coffee may be one of them. Students in particular are notorious for drinking coffee during all-night study sessions, but currently there is no evidence to associate coffee drinking and concentration enhancement.


Coffee Features


The main feature of coffee is its caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant which acts on the nervous system of the human body. Increased energy and alertness is usually associated with caffeine consumption, as well as lethargy and tiredness once caffeine's effects have diminished.


Coffee and Alertness


One study in the journal of Psychopharmacology found that caffeine through coffee consumption increases brain alertness. Another study from the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that the smell of coffee alone may increase brain activity and alertness after sleep deprivation. This does not, however, correlate with focused attention and improved concentration.








Coffee and Concentration


Currently, there is not enough research to suggest that coffee aids in concentration. Caffeine may certainly induce alertness in individuals, which may also increase responsiveness on tests, according to the Sleep and Disorders Research Center. Increasing concentration, however, does not seem to be correlated with coffee consumption.


Warnings


Since caffeine is a stimulant, it should not be used in large amounts. Two to four cups of coffee a day may not be harmful for most healthy individuals. Depending on individual health, such as a high risk for heart attack, you should limit the amount of caffeine consumed daily.

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