{"id":18286,"date":"2021-02-27T00:49:51","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T19:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/functionalnutritionlab.com\/blog\/?p=1667"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:52:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:52:17","slug":"the-chemistry-of-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fxnutrition.com\/blog\/the-chemistry-of-coffee","title":{"rendered":"The Chemistry of Coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although caffeine is found in over 100 plants worldwide, its effects are most potent in coffee. This potency stems from coffee\u2019s high concentration of two other stimulants<\/span>\u2013<\/span>theophylline and theobromine. Like caffeine, these two other stimulants are classified as alkaloid compounds that naturally occur in both plants and animals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee is primarily consumed for its mood elevating and stimulating effects, which occur about 30 minutes after ingestion. Those energizing results are due to its ability to increase both dopamine and adrenaline in the central nervous system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dopamine is a short-firing chemical, and it\u2019s stoked by pursuit and desire. That means that dopamine is the brain chemical that will take you on the <\/span>hunt<\/span><\/i>. And dopamine creates excitement and the sensation of a thrill as you embark on the chase<\/span>\u2013<\/span>whether for your next romantic partner, the job of your dreams, a cupcake, or that afternoon cup of coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adrenaline is also associated with drive and motivation. Adrenaline is one of our \u201cfight or flight,\u201d or immediate response, hormones. In an emergency, adrenaline increases your blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and general level of alertness and anxiety. It also redirects blood from your essential organs to your limbs so you can run or fight. This can disrupt the body\u2019s ability to perform normal and parasympathetic functions such as digestion, absorption, detoxification, elimination and reproduction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The release of these two brain chemicals after a good ol\u2019 caffeine jolt helps you feel more alert and ready to tackle whatever is ahead of you in your day. But that doesn\u2019t come without a price. The increase in dopamine and adrenaline is achieved by blocking another brain chemical: adenosine. One of adenosine\u2019s natural functions is to thwart the release of dopamine, but that\u2019s not all it does…<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, our production of adenosine increases with each hour we are awake. The chemical is responsible for energy transfer at a cellular level (think ATP and ADP), modulating internal inflammation (which we\u2019ll come back to later), as well as coronary vasodilation. Adenosine is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter. In this way it suppresses the production of dopamine throughout the day and plays a role in promoting sleep. Coffee decreases the production of this nucleoside, affecting many biochemical processes as a result.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, caffeine keeps you awake and adenosine makes you sleepy. <\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re going to explore some of the challenges that coffee may pose on the body beyond the suppression of adenosine production, but please don\u2019t throw your hot morning brew at me! Truth be told, I\u2019m not one to refuse an organic decoction on occasion. And coffee has, no doubt, been associated with some positive health benefits due to its antioxidants and nutrient make-up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, I do find it helpful to understand some of the <\/span>risk and reward<\/span><\/i> of any one food. This helps us get out of the mindset of anything being a \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d food and brings us into the importance of bio-individuality. Plus it helps us to better explain to clients\u2014<\/span>based on their healing needs, goals, and genetic and physiologic make-up\u2014<\/span>why we may need to make a diet or lifestyle change to best support them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Downside of Drinking Coffee <\/b>\u2013<\/b> Many Branches, Just 3 Roots<\/b><\/h2>\n

Having more energy and motivation might sound like a good thing. And perhaps it is in the short term. But how is that habitual cup of Joe actually thwarting get up and go? On a basic level, one problem is that caffeine and coffee can be addictive. Consuming just a small amount of coffee regularly (less than one cup) can lead to symptoms of withdrawal for some individuals when removed. Have you ever experienced this? I know I have! And I\u2019ve seen many clients suffering fatigue and headaches as they try to \u201cquit the coffee habit\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond addictive patterning, coffee has other effects on the body worth considering:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n