Photo: Stocksy/ Martí Sans When your energy stores are running low (like, really low), stretching out that much-needed caffeine buzz from your morning cuppa is a non-negotiable.
This is even more imperative if having more than one cup of coffee irritates your stomach (hi, endless hours of acid reflux). But according to food scientists, drinking more coffee isn’t necessarily the solution to get you through a mid-day slump. In fact, there are a few ways to hack your caffeine intake to keep that energy "high" going well past your first sip of the day.
Ahead, we’re sharing seven ways to stay as energized as possible while keeping your overall caffeine intake low.
Experts In This Article Natalie Alibrandi , UK-based food scientist and CEO of Nali Consulting
Trevor Craig , a food safety expert and corporate director of technical training and consulting at Microbac Laboratories
Wait, why do you feel "buzzed" from caffeine?
First things first, why does coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) make you feel buzzed to begin with? According to Natalie Alibrandi , a London-based food scientist and CEO of Nali Consulting , it’s due to a chain reaction that occurs in your brain upon ingesting caffeine.
“The caffeine ‘buzz’ is created primarily through blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and drowsiness. Caffeine competes with adenosine for binding to its receptors in the brain, so instead we may feel increased alertness,” Alibrandi explains.
Aside from the effect caffeine has on the brain, Alibrandi says there are secondary effects it may have throughout the body, particularly on your central nervous system (CNS). “A stimulated CNS, [can lead] to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure implicated in the ‘buzz-like’ sensation,” she says.Have jitters from too much caffeine ? Alibrandi says caffeine’s stimulatory effects on the CNS are likely to blame. “Caffeine also stimulates adrenaline, which can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels. High adrenaline can lead to nervousness and jitteriness,” Alibrandi explains. How long does a caffeine buzz typically last? The length of a caffeine-induced buzz can vary from person to person, but Alibrandi […]
Yes, You Can Make Your Caffeine ‘Buzz’ Last Longer After Just One Cup of Coffee. Here’s Exactly How
