Your Brain On... Coffee

12 snips

Sep 18, 2024

Dive into the buzz of coffee and its fascinating effects on the brain! Discover how caffeine can wake you up and boost concentration while potentially guarding against neurodegenerative diseases. Uncover the delicate balance of coffee’s benefits and risks, including addiction concerns and metabolism differences. Explore the rich history of coffee, from its roots in Ethiopia to its significant role in Sufi rituals and social gatherings. Plus, learn about the different types of coffee and their unique impacts on our health!

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ANECDOTE

Coffee's Origin

A shepherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became energetic after eating red berries.
This led to the discovery of coffee's stimulating effects.

INSIGHT

Coffee's Rise in Islam

Coffee's initial rise in popularity is linked to its adoption within Islamic culture.
Coffee houses became important social spaces, fostering secular and religious practices.

ANECDOTE

Sufi Coffee Rituals

Sufis used coffee in nighttime ceremonies to aid concentration and meditation.
The beverage, known as "Kisha," contained dried fruit for added sweetness and energy.

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What does the most-purchased beverage in the world — coffee — do to your brain?

Five centuries after its discovery, coffee is deeply entrenched in our diets on a global scale. More than half the U.S. population drinks coffee daily. We wake up with coffee, and catch up with friends over coffee. Historically, coffee has been heralded as an inspiring muse.

But many headlines have warned us about the adverse effects of coffee. Is there truth in the supposed risks, or can we keep sipping away without a worry?

In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss:

• What caffeine does to your brain, and why it makes you feel awake

• How much coffee is too much, and how caffeine affects us all differently (depending on our metabolism)

• The antioxidant benefits of coffee

• How coffee can improve concentration, and even potentially protect against neurodegenerative diseases

• How different kinds of coffee affect our brains differently (black vs. cream and sugar, brewed vs. filter, caffeinated vs. decaf)

• The risks of caffeine addiction

• A brief history of how coffee became so ubiquitous in our lives

Bringing the buzz to this episode are two coffee geniuses:

DR. ASTRID NEHLIG, a neuroscientist out of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research who has studied the health impacts of coffee with impressive extensiveness.

PROFESSOR JONATHAN MORRIS, AKA ‘The Coffee Historian’, author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’ and co-creator of the History of Coffee Podcast.

‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/

‘Your Brain On... Coffee’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 7

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LINKS

Dr. Astrid Nehlig’s research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Astrid-Nehlig

Professor Jonathan Morris’ website: https://thecoffeehistorian.com/

Professor Morris at the University of Hertfordshire: https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/jonathan-morris

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