Coffee constricts or dilates blood vessels in the brain

Some people cannot imagine the morning without a cup of coffee. This drink energizes, helps to cheer up and improves performance. At the same time, almost no one thinks about how coffee affects the blood vessels of the brain and other vital organs. If used frequently, it can cause serious harm, especially in cases of heart disease.

The mechanism of action of caffeine on the vascular system

The caffeine contained in coffee affects the blood vessels of the brain in different ways. As a rule, it promotes their expansion, but in some systems, for example, digestion and the central nervous system, capillaries contract under its influence.

This is explained by the stimulating effect of the substance: in order for the cardiovascular system and nerve centers to be activated, blood flow in most internal organs is reduced. Reducing the permeability of capillary walls promotes the excitation of neurons in the brain and because of this, drowsiness disappears.

Drinking large amounts of the drink contributes to the accumulation of caffeine in the body. It weakens the effect of adenosine, a substance that inhibits the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the brain is activated and ceases to feel the need for rest.

Caffeine stimulates the production of hormones, including adrenaline. Its action is familiar to everyone:

• The pulse quickens;
• Respiration rate increases;
• Pupils dilate;
• I feel a surge of strength.

This hormone stimulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system: the heart begins to contract more often, small vessels narrow, and blood pressure rises. Therefore, coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks are prohibited for myocardial diseases.

The effect of coffee on the heart

The benefits and harms of coffee for the heart are a topic of frequent discussion among doctors. This drink contains caffeine, which can have positive and negative effects on the body.

Positive Impact Aspects

If a person drinks natural coffee rather than instant coffee, then moderate consumption will be beneficial. It has the following properties:

• saturates the body with magnesium and potassium. These are microelements vital for the heart muscle;
• reduces cholesterol levels;
• dilates coronary vessels. Due to this, the functional activity of the myocardium increases;
• prevents the development of heart failure and heart attack;
• removes toxins and fights infections. Caffeine is used in medicine for certain infectious pathologies, as well as when it is necessary to neutralize the effects of sleeping pills, narcotic substances and poisons;

Coffee stimulates brain activity. Affects mental and physical activity.

Is coffee bad for your heart?

Coffee is harmful when consumed excessively. The drink has the following effects:

• dehydrates. Has a diuretic effect. Due to this, the tone of the heart muscle decreases;
• washes away calcium and a number of other microelements necessary for the full functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• leads to exacerbation of existing diseases;
• increases blood pressure. Therefore, it is not recommended for hypertensive patients.

In what cases is coffee intake limited?

In general, moderate consumption of caffeinated drinks does not pose any risk. True, in certain cases you need to refuse them or drink in limited quantities:

• period of bearing a child. The development of the fetus directly depends on how nutrients are supplied through the placenta. With frequent exposure of caffeine to the blood, vasospasm occurs and fetal hypoxia develops. This increases the risk of congenital pathologies;
• systemic atherosclerosis in older people. The affected vessels contract under the influence of the alkaloid, the plaques rupture, and free particles enter the bloodstream. The most dangerous consequences of these changes are considered to be ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction;
• angina pectoris;
• ulcer and gastritis.

Contraindications for use

In addition to the positive effects of coffee on the body, there are also negative aspects, many of which are listed above. You should not drink the drink if you develop certain diseases. For example, with high blood pressure, dizziness may occur, and sometimes a person may lose consciousness.

Coffee is dangerous for hypertensive patients; in this case, there may be a risk of developing a crisis; without timely assistance, the person may die.

Other contraindications include the following:

• children and elderly people;
• cerebral atherosclerosis;
• tachycardia;
• vision problems, in particular glaucoma;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• diabetes;
• periodic pain in the heart area.

For easily excitable people, it is recommended to drink coffee with the obligatory addition of sugar and milk. It is not recommended to drink the drink before bed or lunch.

The effect of caffeine on blood vessels

The effect of coffee on the blood vessels of the brain is controversial. On the one hand, it activates its work, increases its ability to work, and stimulates brain activity. On the other hand, a strong spasm of small vessels can provoke hemorrhage.

This is explained by the fact that, under the influence of negative factors, the tissue walls wear out over time and become fragile.

Stimulation of nerve centers affects the functioning of the brain:

• The need for oxygen is reduced;
• Metabolic processes take place at an accelerated pace;
• The work of the central nervous system departments improves;
• Drowsiness disappears.

Caffeine significantly affects the functioning of the subcortical structures of the brain, which affects the functioning of the entire body. Under its action, the autonomic nerve centers of the brain stem are activated, which are responsible for breathing, heartbeat, and the endocrine system.

In the absence of serious diseases, it has a positive effect on the functioning of the circulatory system of the brain.

There is an opinion that moderate consumption of coffee reduces the risk of heart attack and angina, due to the fact that in this way the circulatory organs “train”, their resistance to stress increases, and blood circulation is normalized in distant systems.

There is also a dilation of the main vessels - the coronary arteries, through which oxygenated blood flows first to the heart and then to other parts of the body. Accordingly, much more nutrients are delivered to them.

What are the benefits of coffee for the heart?

Scientists have been observing the effects of coffee on the heart for many years to confirm or refute the negative effects of the drink. The following factors associated with coffee are beneficial for the heart:

1. One cup contains 20% of the daily dose of rutin (vitamin P), which strengthens capillaries, increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, and prevents their sclerotic degeneration.
2. The main active ingredient in coffee beans is caffeine. It has a vasodilating effect on the coronary vessels of the heart. This improves the functional activity of the myocardium and its blood supply, especially during physical activity.
3. Drinking coffee in moderation is a good prevention of the development of angina pain syndrome.
4. Caffeine improves nerve conduction of the heart muscle, which is effective against bradycardia and slow heart rate.
5. For atherosclerosis, drinking a drink containing caffeine improves blood flow in areas with minor obstructions.
6. Caffeine increases the resistance of the myocardium to physical stress.
7. Another look at the effects of coffee is quite new: studies have confirmed that regular consumption of 1-2 cups throughout the day protects patients at high risk of developing heart failure from the threat of premature death.
8. Antioxidants contained in coffee beans help remove oxidation products from the heart muscle cells, protecting it from the development of heart failure. The most powerful of them is chlorogenic acid.
9. The beneficial substances contained in coffee help to improve the health and elasticity of the endothelium of the coronary vessels. This improves blood flow, and therefore myocardial contraction, reducing the risk of heart attack and vascular insufficiency.

For people suffering from hypotension, caffeine provides temporary relief, but this effect becomes less noticeable over time. At the same time, new studies have proven that regular coffee consumption does not cause the development of hypertension.

Vasodilation

Coffee has a dilating effect on the supporting blood vessels - arteries. This can be clearly seen in the work of some organs:

1. Heart. An increase in heart rate and, accordingly, acceleration of blood pumping through the organ leads to the saturation of its tissues with nutrients. Thus, its resistance to negative influences increases - for the smooth functioning of any muscles, training is needed.
2. Muscle. The flow of blood to this body structure helps to strengthen it and speed up the metabolism in its cells. Decay products begin to be intensively removed from the body, and it begins to be intensively cleansed.
3. Kidneys. Coffee has a diuretic effect. Blood circulation improves in them, their activity is activated. This normalizes the functioning of the excretory system.
4. Lungs. Stimulation of the nerve centers responsible for the functioning of the respiratory organs activates their work. This promotes active saturation of the blood with oxygen. In addition, by taking a deep breath, a person can get rid of congestion in the lower parts of the lungs.

When is it better to drink a drink?

It is impossible to determine coffee as a medicine, but it is also unacceptable to underestimate the nature of its effect on blood vessels and the heart.

The following groups of people should avoid drinking this invigorating and aromatic drink:

• children under 14 years of age;
• nursing mothers and women during pregnancy;
• patients with hypertension;
• with severe tachycardia;
• in cases of kidney dysfunction;
• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• age over 75 years;
• after serious TBI;
• patients with severe endocrine system disorders;
• postoperative period;
• mental pathologies.

The effect of coffee on the blood vessels of brain tissue can be not only positive, but also negative. If there are any limiting factors, you should refuse to take the composition. Excessive consumption of caffeine can cause irreparable harm to human health.

Fact! People who regularly drink coffee should carefully consider its quality. The fact is that a low-grade product is the main enemy of the circulatory system!

Vasoconstriction

Some blood vessels, on the contrary, narrow under the influence of coffee. For example, under its influence, blood flow in the following organs decreases:

1. Gastrointestinal tract. Substances contained in coffee irritate the gastric mucosa. This leads to increased secretion of gastric juice and faster digestion. Caffeine increases intestinal sensitivities.
2. Pelvic organs. Due to spasm of the walls of small blood vessels, susceptibility to pain is reduced.
3. CNS. In the brain, capillaries narrow. In addition to the positive effect, this can cause nervous exhaustion.

When should you drink coffee?

The debate about the dangers and benefits of drinks containing caffeine has been going on for a long time, but until now, leading scientists have not come to the only correct opinion.

You should not refuse a cup of aromatic drink.

The drink has been proven to provide significant benefits in the following situations:

• hypotension;
• slow heart rate;
• manifestation of edema of the lower extremities;
• to eliminate fatigue after a grueling workout;
• severe headache of a compressive nature;
• pain during menstruation in girls;
• drowsiness and loss of strength.

Attention! Before using the properties of coffee to increase your heart rate or blood pressure, you should consult your doctor.

Benefits of caffeine for the brain

Accelerating chemical reactions stimulates the functioning of the brain due to the rapid transmission of nerve impulses between its cells. This contributes to:

• Improving the quality of mental activity;
• Increased blood pressure with hypotension;
• Acceleration of intercellular metabolism;
• Prevention of the development of coronary disease;
• Normalization of hormone secretion by the glands of the brain.

Coffee contains a large amount of antioxidants - substances that prevent tissue oxidation. Aging is inhibited and the risk of tumors is reduced.

Composition and action

The main component in the composition is caffeine. The component has the peculiarity of having a psychostimulating effect on parts of the nervous system.

The effect of aromatic potion on the body

It has been proven that coffee, if consumed in moderation by people without contraindications, has a positive effect:

• increases mental activity;
• improves a person’s mood;
• enhances performance;
• reduces irritability.

A similar effect is achieved not only thanks to caffeine, but also other necessary components:

• carbohydrates;
• fats;
• oils;
• potassium;
• manganese;
• iron;
• magnesium.

Fact! Caffeine belongs to the methixanthine group of alkaloids. Such substances can have a doping effect, significantly reducing the human body’s need for rest, while increasing its performance. The action is achieved through psychostimulation of the cerebral cortex.

Roasted grains.

As a result of an overdose, the opposite effect appears - the process of transmission of nerve impulses by cells is slowed down. The photo shows high-quality coffee beans from which you can prepare a drink that will benefit the cerebral vessels. After consuming acceptable doses, the breathing process becomes more frequent and the functional activity of the heart and blood vessels changes.

Coffee has an effect on all organs and systems of the body:

• respiratory;
• digestive;
• endocrine;
• metabolic process;
• heartbeat;
• vascular tone.

The active component is present not only in the grains, but also in the leaves. That is why the effect of caffeine on cerebral vessels should be examined in detail. Read the article to the end to find out whether coffee dilates or constricts blood vessels in the brain.

Benefit or harm?

Daily dose

In order for the effect of coffee on the blood vessels of the brain to be only positive, it is important to follow the rules for its use. There is definitely an acceptable daily dose that provides benefit.

Do not exceed permissible limits

Excessive consumption of caffeine-containing products will be harmful and cause the following disorders:

• exhaustion of the nervous system;
• disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• decreased brain activity;
• intoxication.

Proven! The lethal dose of caffeine is 10 grams per day. Depending on the strength - more than 10 liters of drink. Based on this information, it should be concluded that death from overdose is rare. It is simply impossible to drink such a volume; first of all, the body’s protective reaction – the gag reflex – will work.

The daily intake of caffeine is no more than 600 mg. This volume should be divided into several doses. It is permissible to consume no more than 6 mugs with a volume of 150 ml per day.

However, it should be remembered that such a dose affects the functioning of the heart, therefore, in case of tachycardia and other pathologies, the volume must be significantly reduced. Instructions for use must be followed by everyone; excessive consumption of caffeine does not benefit even a healthy body.

The consumer's attention should be focused on the fact that benefits can only be obtained from a natural product. Its price is certainly higher, but only such a composition can be beneficial. Granulated or freeze-dried coffee goes through many stages of processing, including exposure to extremely low temperatures, during which it loses its original properties.

The beneficial properties are lost during the preparation of granules.

Coffee can dilate the blood vessels of the heart muscle if its concentration exceeds 50 mg; if consumed in smaller doses, the effect will be unnoticeable. Long-term use of the drink can cause addiction.

Who should avoid drinking coffee?

In large quantities, the drink can be harmful, especially in the presence of certain chronic diseases. Therefore it is contraindicated:

• For diseases of the central nervous system, heart;
• Pregnant and lactating women;
• For diseases of the circulatory system: atherosclerosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• For gastrointestinal diseases: ulcers, gastritis;
• For pathologies of the urinary system;
• For eye diseases: glaucoma.

The effects of caffeine on the body are poorly understood. Do not give strong drink to children under 14 years of age.

Composition of coffee, its effect

Of course, the most active ingredient in coffee is caffeine. It is he who has such a stimulating effect, banishes drowsiness, and affects the entire central nervous system of the body. The drink has this effect not only due to caffeine. Coffee contains many other components and their compounds:

• carbohydrates
• magnesium
• potassium
• iron
• manganese
• fats
• essential oils

These components in the composition of your favorite drink are useful for humans and with reasonable consumption of coffee, it has a positive effect on the body and our well-being:

• invigorates and gives strength
• relieves fatigue and increases performance
• significantly enhances mental activity and concentration
• improves mood

How much is coffee without harm?

When it comes to coffee, benefits and harms go hand in hand. Its consumption in large quantities can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases and provoke problems with the circulatory system and internal organs. Therefore, experts recommend that a healthy person drink no more than 4 cups a day.

Some rules for drinking the drink will help reduce the negative effects of caffeine:

1. Avoid its use if you have heart disease;
2. Give preference to a quality product: instead of instant coffee, brew ground coffee;
3. You should not drink it on an empty stomach.

After a cup of coffee you feel a surge of strength and vigor. But you shouldn’t get carried away with it: excessive consumption leads to physical and nervous exhaustion.

Safe daily intake of coffee

If you want coffee to not only invigorate you in the morning, but also have a positive effect on the central nervous system and blood vessels of the brain, it is important not to exceed the daily intake of the drink. If consumed excessively, coffee and the caffeine it contains will only harm your health - this can manifest itself in:

• deviations from normal blood pressure
• there may be heart rhythm disturbances
• headache
• fatigue and decreased brain activity
• nervousness as a result of exhaustion of the nervous system

The maximum daily intake of caffeine that is safe for humans is 600 mg. This is the daily norm, you don’t need to consume this amount at one time! Reasonable consumption, when coffee can only be beneficial, is no more than 4 cups during the day.

And here we are only talking about normal, natural coffee. The benefits can be obtained by consuming only natural ground coffee. Even though good coffee is more expensive, it is natural coffee that brings benefits. Instant “coffee” during processing loses all its original properties and almost all useful natural components.