7 Unbelievable Facts About What Caffeine Does to Your Body

Memory Boost

John Hopkins University of Baltimore, Maryland, conducted a study in which people who did not consume caffeine were either given a placebo or a caffeine supplement and were asked to view images 1, 3 and 24 hours apart. These pictures were changed slightly after 24 hours, and the individuals who consumed the caffeine supplement were more likely to notice the changes rather than claiming it was the same image. Caffeine is also used by many students across the world as a study-aid to have enough energy to cram the night before an exam. Caffeine has had mostly positive effects in studies of long-term memory and habitual consumption, but studies of caffeine and short-term memory are thought to be highly inconsistent.

Promotes Bowel Movements

A morning coffee is often swiftly followed by a bowel movement, and many people find that this becomes a habitual practice. Every individual is different and will feel differing effects from caffeine, so some may feel this consequence more than others. Caffeinated coffee is 60% more efficient at getting the digestive system moving than a glass of water, and this is due to coffee relaxing the colonic muscles and making the whole process easier. Peristalsis is the name of the process when the intestinal muscles contract and relax, allowing bowel movements, and the effect of coffee on this process is similar to that of eating a meal. Coffee can also have a positive impact on those with constipation, loosening stools and making sure the body rids itself of waste.