A recent study revealed that drinking coffee in moderation, at a rate ranging between two to three cups per day, may be associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression, compared to not drinking it or excessive consumption.
The study was conducted by researchers at Fudan University in China, and its results were published in the specialized scientific journal Journal of Affective Disorders.
According to the study, which was based on data from more than 460,000 people over a period of about 13 years, people who consumed coffee moderately were less likely to suffer from stress-related psychological disorders.
The researchers noted an “inverted U-curve” relationship, with moderate amounts providing the best benefit, while excessive coffee intake, especially more than 4 to 5 cups per day, is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and mood disorders.
Scientists believe that coffee may affect the brain in several ways, including:
- It contains antioxidant compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body.
- It affects neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are substances that play an important role in regulating mood.
- It helps increase alertness and focus, which may reduce feelings of stress.
These potential benefits are attributed to coffee compounds, including caffeine and antioxidants, which may affect brain chemistry and promote dopamine release, which is linked to improved mood and reduced fatigue.
Despite the positive results, the researchers stress that the study only monitors a correlation, and does not prove that coffee is the direct cause of reducing anxiety or depression, stressing the importance of moderation and taking into account individual differences in response to caffeine.
On the other hand, cardiologists warn that drinking more than 4 cups of coffee per day may have negative effects on heart health, especially for some people or under certain circumstances.
Possible damage when overdone
When drinking large amounts of coffee or caffeine, the following effects may occur:
- Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias).
- High blood pressure.
- Increased risk of heart attacks.
- Anxiety and stress.
- Sleep problems.
- Energy drinks that contain high amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart problems even in healthy people.
“, “changes”: ( { “original”: “Fudan University”, “replacement”: “Fudan University”, “reason”: “Translation of the name of the entity with the English original mentioned in parentheses at the first mention.” }, { “original”: “Journal of Affective Disorders”, “replacement”: “Journal of Affective Disorders”, “reason”: “Write the name of the magazine in Arabic followed by English in parentheses according to the guide.”