In this text, we will discuss the benefits of coffee consumption for people who suffer from asthma and answer the question whether coffee helps with asthma attacks. In addition, we will discuss a little bit about caffeine consumption and its benefits and harms.
Does coffee help asthma attacks?
Coffee is not recommended for the treatment of asthma attacks, although it contains caffeine and this substance relieves some cough symptoms.
After drinking coffee the caffeine is broken down by the liver and releases small amounts of theophylline (a common agent in medications used to treat asthma), which can relieve breathing, providing subtle improvements in breathing for up to two hours.
Less than a cup of coffee is enough for the benefits to be realized. However, it is important to note that the improvements are slight and that caffeine does not replace medication.
Caffeine is also found in a variety of beverages, such as teas, cola, cocoa and energy drinks, and is found in cola nuts, guarana and yerba mate, as well as over-the-counter medications such as NoDoz.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammation that affects the airways or bronchi. This disease can be caused by several factors and its main symptoms are generated by the hyperresponsiveness of the airways, in other words, when the “tubes” narrow, causing coughing and shortness of breath
Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in the world, with the greatest increase in incidence in the last thirty years. An average of one in twenty people suffers from asthma.
The main symptoms of asthma are:
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- rapid and short breathing
- the feeling of tightness in the chest
- wheezing or wheezing in the chest when breathing
- Cough.
Asthma cannot be cured. If you have this disease, even if you don’t feel any symptoms, asthma will still be present. There are some treatments that greatly improve symptoms and control the disease.
Thanks to these treatments, people with asthma who are treated can have the same quality of life as those who do not have the disease.
Is it safe to drink coffee and caffeinated drinks?
A study carried out in 2007 showed that caffeine has a temporary beneficial effect on people who suffer from asthma, with this effect lasting up to four hours. If you are having trouble breathing, having a cup of coffee or black tea can provide momentary relief.
However, coffee is not a substitute for specific remedies for the disease. And as it has a similar structure to theophylline, people who are treated with the substance should not drink too much caffeine, at the risk of suffering adverse side effects.
Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances in the world, being present in several beverages, such as teas, coffee and soft drinks, and foods.
To fully enjoy the benefits of caffeine, consumption of this substance must be moderate and adequate. In addition to acting as a relief for breathing, caffeine has other benefits to the human body.
- Improvement in the general state of physical and mental fatigue
- Improved mental performance and alertness
- Memory assistance
- Improved concentration and alertness
- Improved performance in physical activities
- Thermogenic effect, which speeds up metabolism
- Neuroprotective effect
- Improved mood.
Caffeine is also used as a stimulant to reduce tiredness. The biggest problem is excessive consumption, since the body gets used to the amount ingested and every day it is necessary to increase the dose to obtain the same effect.
Excessive consumption can cause health problems such as irritability, stomach pain and insomnia.
According to researchers, the safe amount per day for adults without any comorbidity or sensitivity to caffeine is a maximum of 400 mg of the substance per day. Check the maximum recommendation per day:
- 2 to 3 cups of fresh coffee.
- 8 to 10 cans of cola soda.
- 4 to 5 energy drink cans.
The effects of excess caffeine on the children’s body are even worse and its use is not recommended. For teenagers it is recommended to limit the consumption to 100 mg of caffeine per day.
Coffee is not recommended for the treatment of asthma attacks, although it contains caffeine and this substance relieves some cough symptoms.
Daily caffeine consumption can be beneficial to your health, helping to prevent diabetes and other illnesses. In addition, caffeine has a thermogenic function and helps a person stay awake and alert.
We can find caffeine in many foods if you don’t like to drink coffee.
The maximum amount of caffeine that adults should ingest is 400 mg. Adolescents can ingest a maximum of 100 mg and caffeine consumption by children is not recommended.
Other FAQs about Coffee that you may be interested in.
Does coffee creamer make you gain weight?
Does coffee cut your appetite?
Does coffee go bad in the fridge?
Conclusion
In this text, we discussed the benefits of coffee consumption for people who suffer from asthma and answer the question whether coffee helps with asthma attacks. In addition, we discussed a little bit about caffeine consumption and its benefits and harms.
