I always love writing about coffee. Its seems such a ubiquitous drink; it’s everywhere, and we all love it. Even non coffee drinkers understand the absolute love of the stuff! So, here’s a little blurb about what exactly happens in your body when you drink just 1 cup (mostly it’s the effect of caffeine, so it goes for tea as well).
Coffee in Real Time
10 Minutes
Caffeine enters our bloodstream and the heart rate and blood pressure begins to rise.
20 Minutes
Cognitive effects begin to be noticed, with increased focus and alertness. Ideas and problem solving are easier to bring to the forefront of the mind.
30 Minutes
Adrenaline increases and pupils dilate and vision becomes more acute, blood pressure and heart rate still increased.
40 Minutes
Serotonin increases throughout the body. Serotonin promotes a sense of well-being, sense of purpose, and happiness. It also enhances motor function, which increases muscle strength.
4 Hours
The caffeine now increases the rate at which cells metabolize energy. This is the point at which caffeine helps break down excess fat and increase stomach acid production.
6 Hours
Caffeine’s diuretic effects are claimed to begin at this point, but probably sooner. The body also starts to lose some vitamins and minerals besides water.
Node Smith, associate editor for NDNR, is a fifth year naturopathic medical student at NUNM, where he has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine amongst the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend campout where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Three years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.
