Coffee's Superpower REVEALED!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 6, 2023
I’ve just made a cup of coffee and settled in at my desk to read the latest studies and write.
And right now, I’m enjoying its enticing aroma as I write to you.
If you’re like many other folks, you can’t imagine starting the day before your morning brew.
I consider my cup of Joe an essential tool for writing. After all, plenty of research shows coffee gives your brain a welcome boost to get stuff done.
But is it the caffeine alone that delivers that brain-clarifying boost? Or could you replace coffee with a caffeine tablet and get the SAME benefit?
That’s exactly what one team of scientists wanted to know. And what they discovered might surprise you.
I must admit I ENJOY the whole ritual of making a cup of coffee: the smell of the beans, the aroma of hot water passing through the grounds, and the cup’s warmth in my hands.
So I’m not likely to give up MY routine anytime soon.
But new research published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience investigated if caffeine ALONE was responsible for coffee’s brain-boosting effect.
They started by scanning volunteers’ brains in an MRI machine. They then had them take a caffeine pill or drink coffee and looked to see how each affected the brain.
Both caffeine AND coffee suppressed activity in a part of the brain that’s used when we’re idle (the default mode network). This is the effect that primes people to work on tasks after taking either.
But that’s where things got really interesting.
It turns out coffee has a secret superpower.
Because the coffee did SO much more.
The coffee drinkers ALSO had spikes in their brain’s communication network (connectivity), which primed their…
- working memory,
- cognitive control,
- and goal-directed behavior.
In other words, caffeine IS responsible for part of the brain boost you get from your morning brew. But it doesn’t account for ALL of the coffee’s benefits… by a long shot.
So, if your TO-DO list is waiting for you to get started, go right ahead and pour yourself a cup BEFORE you dive in.
P.S. Is coffee or tea healthier? CLICK HERE for the FINAL answer.
Source:
“Coffee consumption decreases the connectivity of the posterior Default Mode Network (DMN) at rest,” Front. Behav. Neurosci., 28 June 2023, Sec. Learning and Memory, Volume 17 – 2023, doi. org/ 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1176382
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Mailbag: Natural Fixes for Stubborn Toenail Fungus
“Is there an actual cure for toenail fungus?” —Feeling Frustrated If you are frustrated because you’ve been battling toenail fungus, I’m not surprised. Toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to treat. But don’t give up. With a combination of natural treatments and patience, relief is possible. Here’s what’s worked for my patients in the past… Tea...
Science Reveals Late-Night Anxiety is REAL (Here’s the Fix)
Ever notice how your problems seem WORSE at 3 AM? It turns out those middle-of-the-night anxiety-filled thoughts aren’t just in your head. Research reveals that your brain actually functions differently after midnight. In fact, what goes on during those dark hours could be sabotage your sleep and your decisions. But before you reach for a...
Normal Blood Pressure In 4 Weeks WITHOUT Drugs
High blood pressure affects millions of us. And these hypertension (high blood pressure) medications work, but they often come with unwanted side effects. However, we might have another option. A new study confirms that an often-overlooked root vegetable can help normalize blood pressure FAST… Research conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London revealed...
Spice Slashes Age-Related Vision Loss Risk
As you get older, the more likely you are to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, one in seven people over 50 already have some evidence of this vision-robbing disease. That works out to about 1.5 million people. But you don’t have to be one of them. A small change you make starting today...
Four Medicine Cabinet Culprits Making You Fat
Picture this. You’re doing everything “right.” You’re trying to manage your weight by watching portion sizes, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. But the numbers on the scale won’t go down. Even worse, you realize they’ve been slowly CLIMBING. If this sounds familiar, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet. Keep reading to...
Why Age STEALS Your Sleep—And How to Take It Back
As we journey through life, we may find ourselves becoming unwilling members of the “tossing and turning” club. If you’ve noticed that restful nights are slipping further away with each passing year, you’re not alone. But why does this happen? Let’s shed some light on the causes of age-related sleep changes and explore how you...
Dodge Dementia with this Two Step Back-to-Basics Plan
You know the saying, “Everything old is new again,” right? Well, it turns out for dementia prevention, it’s spot on. In fact, new research supports two “old-school” solutions for protecting brain health. If you thought shielding yourself against dementia would be complicated, let me show you how simple it can be… When I counsel my...
Mailbag: Naturally Target Cholesterol
“I’m being treated for breast cancer. However, I was also recently diagnosed with atherosclerosis. My cholesterol is 249, and I was prescribed Lipitor. I’m on a plant-based diet and sometimes eat wild-caught salmon two to three times a week. What are the best natural ways to lower cholesterol?” -Naturally Cutting Cholesterol Hi Naturally, Your proactive...
Surprising Link Between Balance and Weight REVEALED
Think balance exercises are just for preventing falls? If so, think again. This often-overlooked aspect of fitness could also be the missing piece in your weight loss puzzle—especially as you age. Recent research suggests that improving your balance could be a game-changer for maintaining a healthy weight AND staying steady on your feet. And these...
These Common Kitchen Tools Could Triple Your Cancer Risk
Could you do me a favor? Take a look in your kitchen drawers. Do you spot any black plastic spatulas or spoons? If so, please keep reading… Because researchers have just discovered something about these common kitchen tools, you can’t afford to miss. They could literally be making you sick. Here’s why… A shocking study...