Effects of Coffee on Non-Coffee Drinkers

Coffee is one of the most widely-consumed beverages in the world, but it doesn’t affect everyone in the same ways.

Some people, for instance, can consume multiple cups of coffee during the day and experience no adverse effects, but others might experience significant effects after drinking one cup of coffee.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that an average eight-ounce cup contains approximately 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. 

In this article, we’ll look at the effects of coffee on coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers.

How Does Coffee Affect Non-Coffee Drinkers?

Studies show that non-coffee drinkers experience a more significant energy boost from caffeine consumption than regular coffee drinkers; regular coffee drinkers might benefit from their first cup of coffee, but non-coffee drinkers derive more energy from their first cup. Still, excessive coffee drinking has negative effects, regardless of which group you fall into.

Research also found a 30% reduced risk of mortality from stroke among regular coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers; with the reduced risk of cardiovascular problems being associated with coffee’s antioxidant effects. If you’re thinking of picking up coffee drinking for these positive benefits, check out these recent pieces on making coffee sweeter or the best coffee flavors if you don’t like coffee.

The primary active compound in coffee is caffeine, a stimulant which causes short-term improved brain function, a boost in energy levels, and increased metabolic rate and exercise performance. Caffeine blocks the action of adenosine–a molecule that triggers our brains to feel tired. Many studies have measured the effects of caffeine on mental performance by testing regular caffeine users and non-users. Here’s what they found:

• Regular caffeine users seem more awake and alert after consuming caffeine. 
• Non-users performed just as well in tests as regular users, regardless of caffeine intake.
• When non-coffee drinkers consumed caffeine, they felt awake but jittery. Unfortunately, caffeine consumption didn’t improve their mental alertness and attention.
• During finger-tapping speed tests, caffeine improves motor skills in both regular caffeine users and non-users.

What Are the Effects of Coffee on Frequent Coffee Drinkers?

Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of dementia and neurodegenerative disease. However, studies show that coffee drinkers have a 65% reduced risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

Several studies also show that coffee drinkers have a 32% to 60% reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease, and coffee is also associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Increased blood sugar levels characterize type 2 diabetes because of resistance to the effects of insulin, but research shows that coffee drinkers might have a 23% to 67% lower risk of suffering from this condition. 

Further, coffee drinkers have a reduced risk of developing liver cancer and cirrhosis. The more coffee you consume, the lower your risk of developing these conditions. 

If you’re wanting to increase your coffee intake but want to make coffee taste good without creamer, check out this article.

Final Thoughts

Although caffeine improves some aspects of physical performance, it does little in improving the mental abilities of frequent drinkers, who may develop a tolerance to caffeine’s effects. Non-coffee drinkers may feel more alert after consuming caffeine, but they may not experience significant improvements during mental performance tasks. Further, people who drink coffee frequently have a reduced risk of suffering from serious ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, and cirrhosis.