Surprising Facts about Coffee and Caffeine

Many of us have a close bond with coffee and caffeine. We wake up craving the familiar taste of a hot brew every morning.

In fact, 85 percent of Americans consume a minimum of one caffeinated coffee beverage a day. It is no surprise that every store in the city is now selling fancy lattes and flat whites- everyone knows how much we love caffeine.

Surprising Facts about Coffee and Caffeine

1. Darker Roasts have Less Caffeine than Lighter Roasts

Many people think that ordering the darkest, richest roast is a good idea, especially when they need a quick pick-me-up on days when they feel sleepy and exhausted.

However, a surprising fact about coffee and caffeine is that light roasts like cinnamon and light blonde have more caffeine present in them than darker roasts. This is because light roasts are not heated as much, and they have more moisture inside the beans, causing the coffee bean to be denser and have higher caffeine content.

The taste of a light roast differs from a dark brew. It is more delicate, has a thinner texture, and might remind you of black tea. For some, light roasts taste stronger than dark roasts.

2. Caffeine Withdrawal is a Serious Health Condition

If you drink coffee every single day, you already know that even though the caffeine high is great, the lows are miserable. In today’s world, modern health recognizes this problem.

According to the recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, caffeine withdrawal has been recognized as a mental health problem. When you cut out your caffeine intake or try to control it, you might face symptoms like persistent headaches, depression, fatigue, and irritability. More often than not, these symptoms are confused as an illness.

Did you know that if you were to quit coffee cold turkey, you might face headaches for up to nine days? If you are a victim of any of these symptoms, cut down your coffee intake. Trust us, your body and brain will be grateful to you in the future.

3. Coffee’s Third Wave is Currently Encompassing the Earth

When referring to the evolution of coffee, there have been two big waves in the past. Today, we are in the third wave of coffee.

The first wave of coffee was when a goat herder found that his animals had consumed a crop which caused a huge shift in energy. The red berry that the animals had consumed turned out to be coffee as the locals started burning it and, eventually, introduced it as an economic commodity.

During coffee’s second wave, a green mermaid introduced a whole new line of caffeinated drinks by pairing coffee with whipped cream and sweet flavorings.

Today, we are in the third wave of coffee as it has become popular as an artisan product with a well-loved flavor; hence PUCCI Cafe 🙂 …. Handcrafted coffee is taking the world by storm as companies offer transparency on how their coffee has been sourced. After all, the origin of your coffee is essential.

It is predicted that during the fourth wave of coffee, the focus will be put on the science of caffeine, accuracy in brewing, an in-depth understanding of the proportions of coffee to water, and advancements in brewing equipment. With all this sophistication, we expect the taste of the coffee will become superior to what it is today.

4. Coffee is the Fourth Most Used Socially Acceptable Drug in the World

Alcohol is the most used drug all over the globe, but did you know that coffee and caffeine aren’t too far behind? The Global Drug Survey found that beverages with caffeine are the fourth most used drugs on earth. Booze and marijuana may be frowned upon, but coffee is becoming more socially accepted by the day, becoming one of the most conventional drugs to exist.

The only difference between marijuana and other kinds of psychotropic drugs is that they accumulate in the body, increasing body fat percentage, whereas coffee passes by the human tissue minutely.

5. Every Body Metabolizes Caffeine in a Different Way

Some people consume caffeinated coffee and instantly feel energetic, while others can consume the same dose with little-to-no change in their behavior, mood, or energy levels.

There are lots of components that come into play that determine how every individual synthesizes coffee. Females metabolize coffee approximately 25 percent faster than males, while Caucasians metabolize coffee more quicker than Asians.

Similarly, smokers can process the caffeine in coffee twice as quickly as non-smokers. On the other hand, women taking birth control process caffeine at a one-third rate of those who are not on the pill.

6. Coffee is a Hangover Cure

Even though caffeine causes headaches for some individuals, it is an effective therapy for headaches for others. In fact, lots of prescription migraine medicines and over-the-counter pills like Anacin and Excedrin use caffeine.

A surprising fact is that today, caffeine is also marketed to treat hangover headaches. Young adults usually opt for energy drinks, while older people like to chug a shot or two of coffee to make themselves feel better after a night of heavy drinking.

7. There is No Doubt that Coffee Elevates Mood

Everybody has a different sensitivity to caffeine. Depending on this, coffee or other caffeinated beverages can affect your brain differently. Usually, caffeine reaches the brain within 20 minutes of consumption, increasing alertness 30 to 60 minutes later as the caffeine peaks in the blood.

You feel more energetic with caffeine in your system because it blocks adenosine. This neurotransmitter hinders arousal and signals to your brain that you are tired. Simultaneously, coffee boosts the production of dopamine. This is another neurotransmitter that increases feelings of elation and happiness in the body.

It is no wonder that after water, coffee is the most popular beverage in the world. Remember, coffee is loaded with antioxidants that are good for your body, so we recommend consuming caffeine within limits.