Coffee and Productivity

1. Coffee and Productivity With its intoxicating aroma and the impact it has on our attention span, coffee acts as a daily alarm clock that helps us get going. Not surprisingly, coffee is one of the best-selling beverages in the world. A popular article May the New York Times, Professor of the School of Medicine at the University of Indiana Aaron E. Carroll emphasized the persuasive evidence that consumption of coffee is associated with the reduction of numerous health risks and also with increased longevity. A growing body of research highlights the antioxidant properties of coffee. Its beneficial effects have been shown for the heart and also against cancer and Alzheimer's. For the first time earlier this year, America's premier nutrition advisory council gave its opinion on coffee: The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee noted that there is few health risks associated with moderate consumption of coffee. Best for coffee Katy lovers: The council says there is “strong evidence” of health benefits associated with coffee consumption and encourages the population to consume three to five cups of coffee a day, or even 400 milligrams of caffeine. Although five cups of coffee may seem like excessive, most research indicates that a cup of coffee of about 240 milligrams contains 100 milligrams of caffeine. Typically, a small cup of coffee served in a coffee shop has about 355 milligrams, just 150 mg of caffeine.

2. Plus, even that little café can make a difference in an office - the link between coffee and productivity is strong. Nearly half of US workers agree: 46% say their productivity is reduced if they don't consume coffee, according to a CareerBuilder employee study. As long as the consumption is not excessive until it makes us shiver, drinking coffee can increase productivity at work for these three reasons: 1.Helps us stay more alert The caffeine in coffee doesn't actually wake us up but it does stop the main component of the brain that causes drowsiness. This substance, called adenosine, accumulates during the day and reduces the body's energy levels, which in turn increases drowsiness. After having coffee in the morning, when we might still feel tired from adenosine remnants in our system, or during the afternoon break, caffeine blocks the brain's adenosine receptors. With the receptors blocked, the brain stops feeling drowsy. At the same time, caffeine also increases the energy levels of the brain. More energy improves memory, the ability to focus and solve problems and general cognitive function, according to a nutrition study that reviewed the results of scientific research on caffeine. Therefore, when we need to focus on a key project at work, we can improve our ability to concentrate by consuming coffee. The brain increases your attention span, helping you to perform simple tasks or solve the toughest problems of the day.

3. 2.Get creativity flowing Some people say that coffee dampens creativity because the alertness it produces prevents the mind from wandering. And often a dreamy, scattered mind leads to creative thinking. However, research from MIT and other centers supports the notion that coffee can help us be more creative, both individually and in a group. Sitting together for coffee at work can break down common professional and social barriers and lead to more casual and light-hearted conversations. For others, drinking coffee stimulates the brain, clearing away the cobwebs and giving way to innovative thinking or a spark of inspiration. Some people work best from a coffee shop while having their coffee fix. In that case, it's really the ambient noise that enhances your creativity, according to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Low sound levels make it difficult for the brain to process information, leading to more abstract thinking and more creative problem solving.

4. 3.Helps to learn new things faster There's a reason college campuses are home to so many coffee shops. The coffee- fueled brain works overtime to help us learn faster and improves information retention. And it's not just college students who need this competitive advantage - when we work in an environment where things are constantly changing, we never really stop learning. A study in the journal PLOS One states that 200 milligrams of caffeine encourages the brain to identify words and phrases more quickly. The psychologists who conducted the research administered a caffeine or lactose pill to healthy subjects. Those who received caffeine could more quickly tell whether a string of letters made up a real or made-up word. Another study involving college students revealed that those who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine could better remember words from 6 lists of 15 words each. The nutrition study mentioned above also revealed that coffee consumption improves short-term memory and increases the ability to solve reasoning problems. Whether we're studying for an exam or trying to learn something new, coffee can make learning time more productive. But how much is too much? Of course, when it comes to coffee, a lot can be too much. When we begin to consume more than five cups of coffee a day, or 500-600 milligrams of caffeine, the body begins to feel the effects of excess of this substance.

5. The Mayo Clinic states that the side effects of excessive coffee consumption include irritability, stomach problems, fast heartbeat, muscle tremors, and trouble resting. Some people sensitive to caffeine begin to feel these effects with much lower amounts of coffee. As coffee enthusiasts will know, drinking is addictive and drinking too close to bedtime can keep us awake all night. Of course, one option to avoid the shakes caused by coffee is to go decaf. You get some of the health benefits of coffee without that jittery energy. However, for most, drinking coffee in moderation will result in better performance at work.