Coffee Origins: Its History and Impact on the Body

From the bustling streets of New York to the serene slopes of Ethiopia’s hills, coffee is an integral part of the lives of millions of people around the world.

Coffee has held a prominent place in human culture for over 15 centuries, credited with promoting the Enlightenment movement in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, contributing to the foundation of the modern world.

Caffeine is considered the main component in coffee, and today it is one of the most consumed stimulants in the world, reflecting its influence on thinking and sensation.

Coffee Source and History:

Coffee comes from the fruits of the Arabica coffee plant, whose main origin is Ethiopia. Over 90% of coffee is produced in developing countries, while most of this production is consumed in industrialized countries.

The oldest accounts of coffee history date back to the ninth century AD when a shepherd named Khalid was the first to discover its benefits when he noticed the activity of his goats after consuming it.

In the fourteenth century, Sufis in Yemen roasted coffee beans, and from there, its use as a common beverage spread worldwide.

In the fifteenth century, coffeehouses emerged in the Ottoman Empire and spread to Europe as centers of cultural and intellectual dialogue, contributing to the promotion of Enlightenment ideas.

Coffee’s Impact on the Body:

Once caffeine is consumed, it is absorbed and directed to the nervous system, where it stimulates the brain and reduces the feeling of drowsiness.

Caffeine interacts with adenosine receptors in the nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, alertness, and concentration.

The benefits of caffeine last between 15 minutes and two hours, with side effects if consumed excessively, such as anxiety and insomnia.

For health benefits, moderate consumption of coffee is recommended daily, and excessive consumption should be avoided.

After about 600 years, coffee still occupies an important place in global culture, remaining a focal point of many people’s daily lives, thanks to its vital influence on the body and mind.

 

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