Coffee, rich in bioactive compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, has been found to have regenerative abilities that are beneficial for vascular health. Here’s a closer look at how caffeine contributes to these positive effects:
process of action
Adenosine receptor antagonists:
Caffeine acts primarily as an antagonist of adenosine receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system. Adenosine generally promotes relaxation and decreases neural activity, facilitating sleep and vasodilation. By blocking these receptors, caffeine increases neural activity, speeds up mental processing, and improves alertness.
Calcium release channel sensitivity:
Caffeine sensitizes ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels, which are crucial for the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Increased sensitivity frequently leads to the microscopic release of calcium, increasing the force of muscle contraction and regulating heart rate.
Increased noradrenaline and dopamine release:
During exercise, caffeine increases the release of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA). Dopamine plays a key role in motivation, cognition, reward processing, motor control and mood regulation. Increased DA release reduces pain perception and improves endurance performance.
Anti-inflammatory properties:
Beyond the ergogenic benefits during exercise, caffeine exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for neuroprotection against conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It does not alter blood-brain barrier physiology or homeostasis but may protect the CNS from hypoxia through chronic low doses.
Effects on cardiovascular health
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of coffee compounds significantly contribute to cardiovascular health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation associated with various diseases such as type II diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis3. Specifically:
Antioxidants in coffee: Over 1000 chemical compounds present in coffee including caffeic acid, and trigonelline show promising protective effects against neurodegenerative disorders.
Chlorogenic acid: This polyphenol has been shown to exert neuroprotection against rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease via the glucagon-like peptide secretion pathway.
Conclusion
Caffeine plays an important role in improving vascular health through multiple mechanisms—acting as an antagonist of adenosine receptors, sensitizing calcium channels to potentiate muscle contractions during exercise—and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for neuroprotection against chronic disease.
Moderate regular consumption can positively contribute to maintaining cardiovascular health by reducing inflammatory processes associated with various pathologies, including oxidative stress and cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, making coffee an integral part that not only enhances physical performance but also promotes overall regenerative energy in particular. Vascular integrity.
