Can You Drink Espresso Every Day And Is It Bad for You?

Written by Coffee Beans in Espresso

Few things get us out of bed, like a strong cup of espresso. But what is your daily espresso doing for your body and mind? It turns out there are loads of health benefits and, yes, a few not-so-desirable potential consequences, too. Here’s what you need to know.

Espresso, or coffee in general, is not bad for you. It has been shown to have a slew of health benefits, including increased alertness and improved memory. Espresso can also have a positive effect on your mood. It can even give you a boost of energy and stamina to start your day.

Suppose you’re one of those who don’t even talk to me before my first sip, kind of people. We can relate to a morning dose of caffeine via an espresso shot, drip cup, or java drink of choice can help us feel more human.

This is because caffeine quickly finds its way to the brain receptors and immediately gets to work, giving neurons an alertness bumping boost. A moderate amount of caffeine is considered approximately 300 milligrams, or the equivalent of 4.5 ounces of espresso.

Is Espresso Bad For You?

Espresso is the strongest coffee bean and has the darkest color. It is used to make the world’s best espressos, lattes, and macchiatos. Unfortunately, it is also the strongest coffee bean and has the darkest color. That means it can permanently stain many surfaces including wood, plastic, and even some types of clothing.

Espresso is not bad for you, per se, but drinking too much of it can cause an unpleasant condition known as “espresso intoxication.” This occurs when your body gets too much caffeine. Symptoms of espresso intoxication include restlessness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and increased blood pressure.

Does Espresso Help You Focus?

That much can indeed increase one’s capacity for concentration and improve mental sharpness, but there’s a catch. Drinking too much could result in a less acute response. Attenuation is when your body becomes desensitized to a stimulus, and basically, it means that drinking espresso in excess can dull the intended effect. So stick to that morning espresso shot or two, and avoid consuming too much.

If you’re like most espresso aficionados, you probably crave a fix at all hours of the day. But if you drink espresso and other caffeinated drinks throughout the day, this could be keeping you up at night.

Dr. David C Broder, the medical director for Florida’s center for sleep, allergy, and sinus wellness, confirmed everyday health that caffeine is a stimulant and therefore impedes your regular sleep.

So when should you cut off the caffeine? Consider this. It can take approximately six hours for half of the caffeine you consume to leave your system. so if you decide to indulge in a late afternoon shot of espresso, or an evening cup of joe, you might suffer the consequences of restlessness and insomnia. Want to live on the wild side and order a late-night coffee drink?

It should be noted that while espresso has a reputation for being stronger, a single shot has less caffeine than a full eight-ounce cup of regular drip coffee, as noted by the USDA.

Still, here’s what Eely’s master barista Giorgio Milos had to say about the strength. “Even though espresso carries less caffeine than filtered coffee or other coffee methods, the concentration is much higher, so your body absorbs less caffeine but a much shorter time. Therefore, the espresso effect is stronger for our senses.

Is Espresso Good for Diabetics?

A Harvard University study published in 2014 observed men and women over four years and found those who gradually increase their intake of coffee reduced their risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 11 percent. Conversely, those who decrease their intake saw their risk increase by 17 percent.

Not a bad reason to keep reaching for that daily espresso, right? While one might assume it’s the caffeine at work, this has yet to be proven.

Health lines cited a study that notes “drinking coffee over a long period may also change its effect on glucose and insulin sensitivity.” In other words, being a regular coffee drinker over an extended period “may be what causes the protective effect.”

Still, this does not mean that a person with diabetes can and should freely chug their favorite coffee drinks. A 2008 study by the American diabetes association found that regular coffee drinkers with type 2 diabetes saw a big spike in blood sugar after drinking coffee.

Can Caffeine Improve Memory?

Multiple studies have shown a correlation between caffeine intake and memory retention. According to new scientists, neuroscientist Michael Yasa conducted a study involving 160 individuals who only consumed small amounts of caffeine.

They looked at images and were then given a pill that contained either 200 milligrams of caffeine, about two shots of espressos, or a placebo. The new scientist explained that receiving the caffeine after studying the images helped isolate caffeine’s effect on memory as you wouldn’t expect alertness to matter at this point.

Ultimately, Yasa deduced that caffeine helped to boost long-term memory by helping with memory, consolidation, or the process of strengthening memories between acquiring them and retrieving them.

Is Espresso Good for Alzheimer’s?

What’s more, a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s diseases in 2010 found that caffeine seemed to have a protective effect regarding the occurrence of Alzheimer’s. Disease and other types of dementia.

Can Parkinson’s Patients Drink Coffee?

Research showed a link between caffeine consumption and a decreased rate of Parkinson’s disease, and that’s potentially life-changing. An espresso a day keeps the cardiologist away; make that four shots of espresso.

Researchers in Germany found that drinking approximately four espresso servings every day could decrease one’s risk of suffering from a heart attack.

Of course, this study was performed on lab mice, so before you order another coffee round, take this all with a grain of salt. Even the lead researcher admitted that people metabolize coffee differently.

Is Espresso Bad For Your Health?

Despite these rather significant caveats, there’s still ample evidence that there is a positive correlation between moderate caffeine intake and one’s heart health. A 2011 study published in the journal Stroke suggested that women who did not drink coffee or drank very little had a higher risk of stroke.

While espresso and coffee are good for heart health when consumed in moderation, there is a flip side. Drinking too much espresso or other caffeinated coffee drinks could spike your blood pressure, as noted by mayo clinic.

Many attribute this to the theory that caffeine could “block a hormone that helps keep your arteries widened.”

Still, Australian researchers wanted to find out how much coffee is too much. The article determined that the tipping point is approximately six cups or 450 milligrams of caffeine. Of course, as previously noted, every person metabolizes the stimulant differently, so that this amount could vary slightly.

How Much Espresso is Safe While Pregnant?

You have to give up a lot of things when you’re pregnant, and one sacrifice might be your beloved espresso. Of course, if you can curb your habit and decrease your daily intake, a moderate amount of caffeine is generally considered fine.

The American College of obstetricians and gynecologists found that drinking no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine in espresso and coffee with a bun in the oven doesn’t appear to be quote a major contributing factor in miscarriage or pre-term birth.

According to the baby center, caffeine does cross the placenta into the amniotic fluid and ultimately into your baby’s bloodstream. As an adult, your body is readily able to process and metabolize caffeine, but a fetus has a harder time doing this, so the stimulant stays in its small systems for longer.

Other studies have also found that an excessive caffeine intake can be linked to smaller than normal babies. It’s all food for thought.

Is Caffeine Good for Depression?

Wants to hear an uplifting fact? Your espresso habit might help to stave off depression. Yes, you look forward to that morning shot and enjoy the subsequent mood boost, but there might be even more to this emotional connection.

A 2011 study that observed 50 739 women in the united states over a decade was published in internal medicine archives. It found some good things, specifically that upping your coffee consumption can correspond to a decreased risk of depression.

While the supporting science is questionable, some researchers gave specific theories regarding the cause of this correlation. One theory by researchers in China is that depression is caused by an immune system reaction resulting in brain inflammation.

They believe that this inflammation can be reduced by certain antioxidants found in coffee. Other scientists attribute this directly to caffeine, essentially relating it to that feeling of morning motivation, but on a greater, more long-term scale.

Does Espresso Hurt Your Stomach?

Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate espresso and coffee drinks. Those with digestive tract issues may find that the acidity in coffee is just too much to consume without feeling very, very uncomfortable.

However, nutritionist Tamar Samuels offers some good news to those avid drinkers who don’t want to give up their beloved morning shot. One study found that espresso, french, roast, and other dark-roasted coffees may be less irritating because they contain a compound that inhibits stomach acid production.

The higher the caffeine content, the more likely you are to experience uncomfortable stomach issues. Here’s the good news for espresso lovers. Since one 1.5 ounce shot of espresso has less caffeine than a full 8-ounce cup of traditional drip coffee, it could be considered a wiser choice for a morning beverage.

Confirming earlier studies, 2007 research found compelling evidence that drinking coffee regularly may offer protection from liver cancer. What’s more, Italian researchers found that men who drank a minimum of three cups of Italian-style coffee daily reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer by 53% compared to those who drank less or none.

As noted by medical news today, the American cancer association also touts this as a potential benefit of consuming coffee, citing studies showing how it can reduce certain types of cancers colorectal, liver, and breast.

Is Espresso Bad For Anxiety?

If you’re having trouble raining in your nerves, maybe lay off that third or fourth shot of espresso. Healthline explained that caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired and incites the release of adrenaline. The fight-or-flight hormone is associated with increased energy.

While this helps us get that much-desired energy boost in the morning, when consumed in excess, these otherwise desirable effects can cause anxiety.

Those who take in 1,000 milligrams, or more caffeine per day, may find themselves experiencing jitters and other symptoms of extreme nervousness.

The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders published by the American psychiatric association lists caffeine-induced anxiety as one of four syndromes caused by caffeine. So next time you’re basing the house, debating if you should pour another shot, take a deep breath and consider a cup of decaf instead.

Is Espresso Good For Weight Loss?

Are you trying to drop a few pounds? The good news is, you won’t have to give up your daily espresso drink. Continue to drink your favorite java drink every day, and your waistline may thank you. Sorry to say, though, that drinking espresso alone won’t do the trick; you’ll still need to hit the gym.

A study published in the Scandinavian journal of medicine and science and sports in 2005 found that the consumption of coffee improves your exercise performance. After having caffeine, researchers found that people perceive their regular workout routine to be less strenuous.

Another study published in the international journal of sport, nutrition, and exercise metabolism in 2014, found that caffeine can reduce muscle pain after exercise. It was enabling people to do more and burn additional calories, which, of course, can help with weight loss.

Additionally, research cited by Livestrong found that consuming espresso can help reduce appetite, resulting in a reduction in calorie intake during the next meal. The site also noted that caffeine could incite thermogenesis or the body’s heat production, which could help you burn calories.

Want to improve yourself on a microcellular level? Espresso can help with that. All coffee beans boast antioxidants, and these powerful compounds work to combat free radicals in your body, which can reduce illness-causing inflammation.

In other words, one medical says that espresso’s, antioxidants, help to fight off lots of common chronic conditions. And, while lots of teas also boast antioxidant power, coffee is the most effective vehicle on a cellular level.

Experts have been able to identify approximately 1000 antioxidants in unprocessed coffee beans, with many more forming during the bean roasting process.

So you can feel good knowing you’re protecting your body’s health and doing right by yourself. A review of multiple studies that the BMJ published indicated that drinking espresso or caffeinated coffee beverages every day could decrease your risk of getting liver cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis.

Additionally, as noted by the health site, coffee-chugging individuals could reduce the risk of getting gallstone disease. Those with kidney disease can rest assured they will not have to eliminate espresso from their already limited diets.

Research has shown that increased caffeine intake and chronic kidney disease patients could lower their chance of premature death. But the national kidney foundation warns people that they should avoid certain additives commonly found in coffee creamers and syrups, such as chemical phosphates.

So, instead of ordering a sweet, creamy coffee drink, maybe stick to that black shot of espresso.

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