Studies advocate coffee consumption because its positive effects can prevent depression.
Does coffee mean the end of depression?
Coffee is known to have many positive effects on the human body: it acts as a pick-me-up thanks to the stimulating properties of caffeine and is also healthy thanks to its many vital substances. It can also help with slimming. Studies now suggest that coffee can help with depression. According to research, certain ingredients in coffee have a protective effect that prevents depression. But what exactly is supposed to cause this effect?
How coffee prevents depression
Depression is caused by constant, chronic stress. Certain connection points between certain nerve cells (synapses) no longer function properly. As a result, one becomes forgetful and anxious. There are already several studies that have specialized in coffee consumption in depression or chronic stress that leads to depression. The following results came out:
A 2012 study with rats showed that the caffeine in coffee can prevent depression. In this study, the rats were subjected to repeated and unpredictable stress, which caused them to exhibit depressive behavior and increased anxiety, among other things. The rats were given caffeine orally for a long period of time. This caffeine consumption caused an antidepressant and anxiolytic effect similar to the antidepressant. In another study, mice were exposed to stress for three weeks, which also showed corresponding conditions. They were less able to orientate themselves and had more stress hormones in their blood, and they also seemed joyless and helpless. The constant stress meant that more adenosine receptors were formed at the synapses and, especially in the hippocampus (the gateway to memory), the synapses no longer worked properly. If a specific gene was blocked by the caffeine, the mice were protected from depression. Thus, caffeine could be instrumental in preventing depression.
In a first meta-analysis, Chinese researchers recognized that both coffee consumption and caffeine consumption reduce the risk of depression. On average, the risk of depression fell by eight percent per cup of coffee per day in this analysis. The risk was also lower with regular caffeine consumption, but it did not decrease evenly. A second meta-analysis had comparable results. The amounts of coffee consumed were also examined here. Those who drank a lot of coffee had a lower relative risk of developing depression. 400 ml of coffee per day showed the best protective effect against depression. Green tea and caffeine also had some protective effects.
Coffee to prevent depression
Many studies suggest that daily coffee consumption can prevent depression. However, the results differed with regard to the substance responsible for this effect. In some studies, caffeine consumption alone is sufficient. A possible answer could be the adenosine receptors, which are blocked by caffeine. In others, the caffeine only works better in connection with the coffee drink against depression. It can also be other substances or the interaction of several ingredients that have the positive effect against mental disorders caused by constant stress. But one thing is certain: if you consume a certain amount of coffee every day, you build up a protective effect that reduces the risk of depression.