Coffee: our most beloved drug

Introduction

The first sip of coffee may not have been an extraordinary experience for many of us. Bitterness, acidity or even the desire to take a bath may have accompanied this ungallant initial meeting ...

Despite this "first time" awkwardness, coffee has become a beverage of choice in modern society.

In this article, we explore the origins of coffee, its incredible social power and its therapeutic potential, to understand why this simple foodstuff has become, in the space of a few centuries, an essential companion in life.

From a historical perspective

Coffee is said to have been discovered in Ethiopia by a shepherd named Kaldi, who observed the stimulating effects of coffee beans on his own goats. In the Middle Ages, coffee spread throughout the Islamic world, and coffee houses became meeting places where people could exchange ideas and ideals and share moments of conviviality.

In Europe, coffee was initially rejected because of its association with Islam, but it eventually conquered the continent and even became the preferred drink of intellectuals, promoting concentration and creativity.

The perfect substance for work

As well as galvanizing the world's great thinkers, it also played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, keeping workers awake and productive during long working days.

Nowadays, the coffee break has become an established part of office culture, promoting sociability and efficiency among employees.

The cultural influence of coffee

Coffee has become a fashion phenomenon, associated with famous personalities such as Johann Sebastian Bach, characters from the TV series Friends and even George Clooney in Nespresso ads. This ever-growing popularity has made coffee the third most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water and tea.

Virtues

Coffee has a number of health benefits when consumed in moderation, of course. Here are just a few of them that may just blow your mind.

Enhanced cognitive performance

The caffeine present in coffee stimulates the brain, increasing attention, alertness, concentration and short-term memory.

Energy booster

The stimulant caffeine also helps reduce fatigue and boost energy levels.

Improved physical performance

It also improves physical performance by increasing muscular work capacity and endurance, and reducing the perception of effort.

Effects on heart health

Coffee consumption is also associated with a reduced risk of developing certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and certain types of cancer (such as liver cancer and colorectal cancer).

It's important to note that the beneficial effects of coffee can vary from person to person, depending on individual factors such as sensitivity to caffeine or the person's general health.

Conclusion

Over the years, coffee, that modest, bewitching beverage, has become a symbol of conviviality, an economic windfall, a fashion phenomenon and even a source of medicinal virtues.

Given that caffeine is a psychoactive substance, coffee is by default considered one of the world's most popular drugs. But to be honest, with everything we've just seen, it would fall more into the category of a holy drug than a harmful one. No ? So, who's up for a little family coffee?

Source

in Nutrition

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