Should you drink coffee before an exam?
The answer is it depends on the person. Ordinary people who are not coffee drinkers should avoid drinking coffee before taking a test.
But for, those who like to have a cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon can take their favorite beverage before going to bed and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
Some students believe that a cup of coffee can improve their academic performance. The college students also said that it also helps their mental performance.
Why does caffeine works before exams?
Caffeinated beverages can boost your energy level and make you feel more alert. It also stimulates your brain, which will help you focus better while studying.
It is important to note that caffeine is helpful when used as part of a healthy diet.
It improved performance, intellectual performance, and optimal brain function. The nutrition journals said that there are numerous benefits of consuming caffeine, such as:
- Improves concentration
- Enhances memory
- Boosts metabolism
- Increases heart rate
- Reduces anxiety
- Improved retention skills
Those caffeinated students have different opinions regarding this issue.
Some say that they don’t need any stimulants before taking a test because they already feel nervous during an exam. They prefer to stay calm and focused.
Others think that caffeine is good for them, especially if they want to study harder. They also believe that caffeine can increase their motivation and concentration.
How much coffee should students drink?
50 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per day is enough for most adults. But for adolescents, teenagers, and children, the amount of caffeine required varies according to age.
The recommended dosage is 200 to 400 mg of caffeine daily for adults. If you consume more than 500 mg of caffeine daily, you may experience side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and high baseline blood sugar levels.
Too much caffeine intake can trigger anxiety attacks, insomnia, and other symptoms.
Best forms of coffee for students
- Decaf coffee
Decaffeinated coffee is a healthier alternative to regular coffee. Decaf coffee doesn’t contain any caffeine, so it won’t affect your health.
- Coffee with syrup
This type of coffee contains fewer calories and carbs compared to regular coffee. It is best consumed after breakfast since it contains carbohydrates.
- Frappuccino
A frappuccino is from milk, ice cream, and chocolate syrup. It is one of the popular drinks among students.
A latte is a mixture of espresso and steamed milk. It is prevalent among coffee lovers.
- Mocha
Mochas are by mixing hot water with strong coffee. This type of coffee is usually at cafes and restaurants.
The iced coffee is a combination of cold-brewed coffee and ice cubes. It is excellent for people who love drinking coffee but hate its heat.
The benefits of coffee
The healthy compound in coffee can help reduce stress and memory retention. It improves mood and reduces fatigue.
It can also enhance cognitive functions such as attention, memory, learning, and problem-solving.
Coffee contains antioxidants called polyphenols which are beneficial for health. These compounds prevent free radicals from damaging cells.
Polyphenols also protect against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. They also promote weight loss by increasing metabolic rates.
Coffee is also rich in magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is necessary for muscle relaxation and nerve transmission. Potassium is essential for maintaining fluid balance.
- Positive memory effects
Coffee can provide beneficial memory effects. A study showed that people who drank two cups of coffee had better recall than those who did not drink coffee.
A study conducted at Harvard University revealed that drinking four cups of coffee each day increased information processing speed.
It means that caffeine boosts the ability of the brain to process new information.
The researchers also discovered that caffeine increases the number of neurons in the brain’s hippocampus region. It helps improve short-term memory.
- Improved mental acuity
The senior research scientist says that caffeine can improve mental acuity. He claims that it enhances focus, alertness, and energy.
He adds that caffeine can also boost creativity and improve decision-making abilities.
However, he warns that too much caffeine can cause jitters, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia.
What are the negative benefits of drinking too much coffee?
Caffeine can also damage the liver and kidneys. It can even lead to dehydration.
People who drink excessive amounts of coffee may develop kidney stones or gallstones.
There are some adverse effects associated with excessive consumption of coffee. Some of these include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Having an odd sleep schedule
These real adverse effects depend on how much caffeine you consume.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, you might experience headaches or stomach problems after consuming large amounts of coffee.
You must also avoid consuming coffee within two hours before bedtime. It is because caffeine can cause drowsiness.
You should also limit yourself to one cup of coffee a day. Drinking more than three cups of coffee at once could lead to dehydration.
When is the best time to drink black coffee?
The best time to drink black coffee is when you wake up.
Black coffee helps you start your day off right. If you drink black coffee after lunch, you may feel tired during the afternoon.
Some people do have different drinking times. For example, they prefer to drink their coffee the first morning.
They believe that this will help them get going faster. However, if you want to stay awake throughout the day, you should try having your coffee later.
Having a coffee break is a good idea.
The most important thing about having a coffee break is that you need to take it regularly.
It is essential to drink your coffee slowly. It will prevent you from getting dehydrated.
A professor of psychology at the University of California, San Diego, suggests that you should continuously sip your coffee slowly.
Drinking your coffee fast causes you to lose water.
The optimal levels of caffeine for adults are between 100 mg and 200 mg per day.
If you are pregnant or nursing, you should consult your doctor before taking any medications.
Your doctor will be able to advise you on what amount of caffeine is safe for you.
Other personal ideas about drinking coffee
Many people like to add milk to their coffee. The reason behind this is that it makes the beverage smoother and creamier.
It also provides additional nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.
Some people also add sugar to their coffee. They claim that adding sugar gives them a sweet taste.
Others add chocolate syrup or honey to their coffee. They say that this improves the flavor of the beverage.
Freq: Questions asked
How many milligrams of caffeine does a cup of coffee contain?
One cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. The amount of caffeine depends on the type of coffee you choose.
For instance, espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee.
Regular coffee contains around 150 mg per cup.
Can coffee help a drowsy person?
Yes! Coffee helps wake up sleepy people because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.
If you want to stay awake during long flights, try drinking coffee.
The article Why Does Coffee Make Me Sleepy? Will surely help you find out why sleep people help you awake!
Can a nervous person drink coffee?
The advice doctors give to nervous patients is not to consume caffeine.
Caffeine is known to increase blood pressure and heart rate. It also affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Pre-test anxiety can cause your heart rate to go up. In addition, it can make you sweat.
This sweating can make you feel hot and uncomfortable.
The final verdict
Coffee can improve your mental performance. It can also boost your energy level.
However, there are certain risks associated with consuming too much caffeine.
Therefore, you should only consume small amounts of coffee. You should never exceed the recommended daily limit of 200 mg.
Find out here some refreshing Starbucks Smoothies here!
