The vast majority of men (and many women) quite often face the need to spend an impressive amount of time behind the wheel of a car. This is especially true for truckers who spend a huge amount of time on the road. Monotonous movement, lack of variety and an elementary overstrain of the muscles of the eyes give a predictable result - a person begins to fall asleep. The first thing a motorist does in this case is to drink strong coffee. It is here that the most terrible awaits him, referred to among experts as the “effect of the 30th kilometer”.

The thing is that only natural coffee has an invigorating effect, and even then its duration does not exceed thirty minutes. After that, the effect of the drink on the body changes to the diametrically opposite - there is a feeling of drowsiness, fatigue and a general breakdown. Why is this happening?

Brewed grains contain two alkaloids at once - caffeine and theobromine. The first is in the shell of the coffee bean, and the second is inside it. Caffeine begins to act immediately, constricting blood vessels and expanding them in the kidneys, which gives the effect of cheerfulness. The bad thing is that this effect lasts only about 20-25 minutes. After that, theobromine takes control, reducing pressure, causing yawning and increased drowsiness.

Interesting Facts!

In the USA, any instant coffee is considered decaffeinated, since the percentage of its content in the drink does not exceed 10%. Unfortunately, at the state level, it has not yet been possible to force manufacturers to indicate this not entirely pleasant fact.

Regardless of the quality level, any coffee (natural or instant) causes a similar drowsy reaction in absolutely all people.

Excessive consumption of instant coffee is one of the main causes of accidents on the roads involving drivers of large vehicles.

A cup of instant coffee an hour before bedtime is even more effective than sleeping pills.

Reasonable (and not so) alternatives

The first proven way to reduce theobromine exposure (it is impossible to eliminate it completely!) Is to drink a glass of clean water after each cup of coffee. It will help the kidneys to more effectively remove the alkaloid from the body and significantly reduce the level of its impact. That is why in good places coffee is always served with plain water.

An extreme option is to drink another cup of natural coffee every 25 minutes and expect the chorus from the song of the Spleen group “And my heart stopped ...”, since the vessels, and the body as a whole, simply cannot withstand such a load. The only exception can be only in the case when the remaining path is very small, and it is vital to reach the destination. Again, the method is very dangerous, unreliable and it is strongly not recommended to resort to it.

The safest and most reliable way to stay alert on the road is to drink tea. Which one - does not matter. Green, black, shen and shu pu-erhs, various oolongs - they are all equally effective, and the choice depends solely on the preferences of the person. The fact is that regardless of the level of fermentation, the amount of caffeine in tea leaves remains consistently high, but theobromine is simply absent there.

The effect of the 30th kilometer. Attention emergency area!

Most accidents occur at a distance of 30-50 km. from the village or cafe due to fatigue.

Good afternoon dear truckers and drivers. I think that when each of us on the road has a need to stay awake or quickly cheer up while driving, then we resort to one of the well-known drinks - coffee. But few people are familiar with what kind of coffee you really need to drink in order to get the result we need. And what is even worse, few people know that the wrong coffee can lead to a completely different result from the expected one and lead to even more sleepiness while driving and subsequently - frequent accidents. That is what is called The effect of the 30th kilometer.

Theory

Coffee grain, like most legumes, consists of two parts, or rather of two alkaloids. In its outer shell is an alkaloid - caffeine, and in its inner shell is an alkaloid - theobramine. And if we brew coffee from whole grains, then we have both elements in the solution. The caffeine starts working immediately and works 20-25 minutes. Its effect works quite clearly - it constricts the vessels of all organs except the kidneys, and on the contrary, it expands the vessels of the kidneys. For this reason, blood pressure increases in all organs and blood flow in the kidneys improves. But after about 25 minutes the effect of caffeine ends, and the second alkaloid, theobromine, comes into action, and all its effects act quite the opposite. It dilates all the vessels of the body, and narrows the renal ones, which leads to a drop in blood pressure and even more drowsiness. That is why in good coffee houses a glass of clean water is also served with a cup of coffee, so that stabilize water-alkaline balance and loss of strength.

On practice

The most valuable caffeine fraction, namely caffeine, is used for caffeinated medicines, but the inner shell of the grain is used for the production of various granular and instant coffee. For this reason, in the US, some granulated coffee makers label their cans as decaffeinated coffee. But in fact, any granulated coffee contains only 5-10% from the outer shell, namely the caffeine. And after drinking a cup of instant coffee, we get exactly the opposite, from the expected effect.

But the worst thing is that a person who does not understand how this effect works and buys himself, no matter what, but instant coffee, hoping to cheer up while driving and during 15-20 minutes he's getting abromine phase which leads to more sleepiness. During this time, he travels approximately 30 kilometers. And as general statistics show, a large number of accidents occur precisely at a distance of approximately from the 30th to the 50th kilometer from settlements, gas stations or cafes on the highway.

Conclusion

Categorically prohibited take on the road instant coffee or drink it during the flight, because no effect you will not get from this, but on the contrary, you will aggravate your condition even more. It is even better to take tea with you on the road. It doesn't matter green or black, but it will invigorate you much more than a cup of instant or granulated coffee. And granulated coffees are best drunk before bedtime, to improve dreams =)

So take care of yourself, and rough to all the roads. Best regards team

In self-respecting coffee houses, along with a cup of aromatic coffee, customers are served a glass of clean, cool water. This ancient and beautiful tradition has a practical meaning: a drink like coffee should really be washed down with water - and not only in order to better reveal its taste.

One alkaloid is good, but two is better

Espresso, americano, cappuccino, latte - drinks prepared using coffee beans, a great many have been invented. However, from the point of view of the effect on the human nervous system, the fundamental difference exists only between coffee drinks made from whole grain coffee and from freeze-dried, that is, from instant.

The fact is that the coffee bean is heterogeneous in its structure. Its outer shell contains the well-known invigorating alkaloid called caffeine, which has a pronounced tonic effect. In the inner part of the grain there is another alkaloid - theobromine.

In the manufacture of instant coffee, only the inner part of the grain is used; the outer shell is separated and used for medicines or energy drinks. But if we are dealing with grain coffee, then we need to remember that it contains two alkaloids at once.

reverse process

When we drink coffee, these two alkaloids enter our body at the same time - but they begin to act in turn. First, caffeine begins to work - it is with its action that the invigorating effect is associated. But about 25 minutes later, theobromine enters the scene.

Here's how it all works: caffeine has the ability to constrict blood vessels in all organs - except for the kidneys; in them, after a couple of sips of espresso, the vessels, on the contrary, expand. The result is increased pressure and the urge to urinate; the latter are associated with improved blood flow in the kidneys.

However, before half an hour passes, the person begins to feel a little sleepy; at the same time, many feel a not too pleasant pulling sensation in the region of the kidneys. This began the action of theobromine: the pressure in all organs increased, and in the kidneys it decreased.

In order to avoid disturbing the blood flow in the kidneys, it makes sense to take a sip of water after each sip of coffee.

The effect of the 30th kilometer

With instant coffee, everything is even more interesting. Since it is made from the inner part of the grain, in which the caffeine content does not exceed 10%, and theobromine is quite high, the effect of it is somewhat different than that of whole grains.

Namely, the peppy phase is not so pronounced, for some it is completely absent, but such a drink has a distinct effect of drowsiness. So if someone you know complains to you that he, they say, has a paradoxical reaction to coffee, he wants not to jump and run, but to sleep sweetly, then, most likely, he drinks not grain, but freeze-dried coffee.

Long-distance truck drivers, who often buy cans of ready-made coffee drinks at gas stations that are obviously made on the basis of instant coffee, even invented their own term - “the effect of the 30th kilometer”.

This means this: about 20 minutes after ingesting the contents of such a jar, that is, just about 30 kilometers away, the driver usually experiences a period of drowsiness lasting about an hour. This is the same theobromine phase during which it tends to sleep.

So it is also better to drink instant coffee with plain water - so that you don’t want to sleep after it. Better yet, drink strongly brewed black tea as an invigorating drink: there is no less caffeine in it, and theobromine is completely absent.

Additional reasons

For lovers of good coffee, there are other arguments according to which it is better to drink it with water.

• Delicious like the first time. If, without further ado, just drink coffee sip after sip, then the second sip will not be as bewitching as the first. And clean water will wash the taste buds - and as a result, you can fully enjoy every sip.
• Pressure is normal. For those who are afraid to drink coffee again because of the risk of high blood pressure, plain water can do an excellent job - it can weaken the effect of caffeine; if you drink coffee with it, the heart will not beat like crazy.
• Teeth like pearls. Coffee contains a pigment that stains tooth enamel. But if after each sip you drink a little water, then the pigment will not have time to be absorbed and the teeth will remain as white as they were.

We hope you don't drink instant. And that's why.

Just four letters connect millions of people around the world. The army of coffee lovers is growing every day.

The taste of coffee is wonderful, but incomprehensible. You need to learn to understand and love it, and only then enjoy it.

Gustave Flaubert

Many of us love coffee, but did not immediately come to this. Personally, at first I did not understand at all why drink coffee? What does he give? Doesn't charge me! Something is wrong?

I delved into the topic and everything fell into place.

What is in coffee

The structure of the coffee bean is simple. Like any cereal crop, there is an outer and inner shell. As coffee matures, two alkaloids accumulate in it:

• caffeine - in the outer shell;
• theobromine - in the inner shell.

When we make coffee from whole grains, raw and ground, we get a drink that contains both alkaloids.

How coffee works

Coffee is a very personal drink. It, like cognac, should not be drunk in mugs!

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill

caffeine practically starts working instantly in the body:

• constricts the vessels of all organs;
• dilates the renal vessels.

A bit of theory.

Caffeine- colorless or white bitter crystals. It is a psychostimulant. In small doses, it has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. With prolonged use, it can cause a weak dependence - theism (disease). In large doses, it causes exhaustion.

The duration of the invigorating effect of coffee is 20-25 minutes. In all organs, blood pressure rises, and blood flow in the kidneys improves. The kidneys begin to receive a better blood supply. This is partly why so many want to go to the bathroom.

When caffeine has played its "symphony", the second alkaloid enters the scene - theobromine. Theobromine is a white crystalline powder with a slightly bitter taste.

The effect of theobromine directly opposite:

• dilates the vessels of all organs;
• constricts the renal vessels.

Systemic pressure decreases and renal blood flow deteriorates. A person begins to feel small pulling phenomena in the kidneys.

In the right and competent places along with a cup of coffee bring a glass of clean water. A decent coffee shop differs from an indecent one in that in the second (decent) one they always bring water with coffee, and in the first (indecent) - only coffee.

Attention: how to drink coffee

You drank a cup of coffee. After 20 minutes, drink a glass of water. Just like that and in that order.

Thus, carry out the prevention of the phase of violation of water-salt metabolism: do not allow the kidneys to fall into a state of impaired blood flow. Live and learn.

Only one “but”: all of the above applies to grain coffee.

Instant Coffee Secrets

When the caffeine fraction is extracted from coffee, the outer shell of the grain is removed. This part goes to medications, caffeine and caffeinated drinks (for example, citramone, energy drinks, and so on).

The inner shell of the grain goes to the production of instant and granulated coffee.

An interesting fact that makes you think. Americans are trying to break the law to all cans of granulated coffee were labeled "decaffeinated coffee". Some manufacturers are already writing.

In fact, any granulated or instant coffee contains 5% to 10% caffeine fractions. As a rule, you do not feel any invigorating effect, blood pressure does not rise, and after this coffee you want to sleep.

It is necessary to drink instant coffee in the evening (closer to the night) - you will sleep better. That's the whole effect.

Then what kind of coffee should you drink?

We get the caffeine effect only from whole grain coffee. After that, we should be ready for the onset of the theobromine phase - the opposite effect.

Theobromine stage occurs when using any varieties of coffee and no matter what quality.

Some varieties keep the “caffeine stage” up to 30 minutes. But then you still get the theobromine stage. Its duration is much higher, about 60-70 minutes.

Everyone can feel it for themselves. The phase of activation and a surge of energy feels good, after which you want to relax a little.

Therefore, it is important to remember: drinking plain water at the right time, the stage of the negative effect is reduced. You prevent deterioration of renal blood flow.

Therefore, knowing now the mechanism of action of coffee, make it a rule for yourself: always drink water after a cup of coffee. Your kidneys will thank you!

What to drink from coffee in Russia

Many people in Russia have access to only instant coffees. He gets cheap. And expensive.

When buying instant coffee, remember: THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

Typical situation. Beautiful packaging, high price. Having prepared it, we get the opposite effect: there is no cheerfulness, and after 20-25 minutes the theobromine phase “sneaks up”. I want to sleep, my blood pressure does not rise (which is a definite plus for hypertensive patients). Not knowing this mechanism, people get into unpleasant, sometimes even tragic situations.

For example, a trucker or taxi driver, leaving at night, drinks several cups of instant coffee. Naturally, he does not receive the expected cheerfulness. After 25 - 30 minutes the effect of theobromine begins, and the person falls asleep at the wheel. This effect is also called effect "30 kilometers".

Therefore, in situations where you need to be alert, it is not recommended to take instant or granulated coffee with you- only ground in grains or, even better, strong tea. The leaf tea (including green) contains caffeine without theobromine, and it will provide the necessary energy.

Harsh production statistics

Let's look at the statistics of coffee production around the world from 2001 to 2015. Data are in thousands and 60 kg bags.

Information taken from an open source "International Coffee Organization".

In order to visually see the dynamics, we construct diagram.

The numbers represent the scale of coffee consumption.

You can deduce the rule: when the world economy is in a fever, the demand for coffee rises and, consequently, to its production.

How coffee changes your mind

Finally, a very interesting fact. Australian scientists from the University of Queensland found that a person who consumed a certain dose of caffeine, easier to psychologically influence.

This conclusion was made on the basis of experiment. It was attended by 140 volunteers. In advance, each of the subjects learned their position on a particular topic. They divided everyone into two groups: the first group was asked to drink a few cups of coffee, while the second group was left without a drink.

Have you noticed that after a cup of instant coffee you feel sleepy? Do you think you have a special body, hence such a strange reaction? Let's open a secret: after such coffee everyone wants to sleep.

It would seem a paradox: you drink coffee to cheer up, but you get the opposite effect. In fact, the phenomenon is easily explained. You just need to get to the bottom of the composition of the coffee bean and understand how it affects the body.

What is hidden in a coffee bean

So, the coffee bean consists of two parts: the shell and the core. . When the grain grows, two alkaloids (substances that affect the human nervous system) accumulate in it. In the shell is caffeine, and in the core - . If we brew coffee from whole, unprocessed grains, both alkaloids are in it.

Once in the body, caffeine begins to act immediately. It constricts the vessels of all organs except the kidneys. Due to the constriction of blood vessels, the pressure rises, and we feel more cheerful.

After 20-25 minutes, the effect of caffeine wears off.

Theobromine works in the opposite way. This alkaloid comes into play 25 minutes after it enters the body and dilates all vessels, except for the kidney ones. The pressure drops, we relax and begin to nod off.

Everything would be fine, but the narrowed vessels of the kidneys prevent them from working correctly, disrupt the water exchange. Therefore, in good coffee shops, along with a cup of coffee, they bring a glass of water. It is needed to prevent theobromine from disrupting blood flow.

Why is instant coffee worse than whole grain coffee?

What happens when we drink granulated coffee? During processing, the shell is separated from the grain - the caffeine component. This part goes to medications that contain caffeine (citramon, askofen, etc.). And only the kernel gets into the production of instant coffee.

For 10 years, Americans have been trying to get granulated coffee manufacturers to declare that it does not contain caffeine. So far without success.

Any processed coffee contains only 5-10% of the shell, which is why it does not invigorate.

What if I only drink whole bean coffee

Even if it is, be prepared for the effect of theobromine. In some varieties, it comes a little later: after 30-35 minutes, but it always comes and lasts about an hour. If you drink water, this stage will be shortened.

Theobromine effect is also called the 30-kilometer effect.. People, not knowing about the action of this alkaloid, find themselves in unpleasant and sometimes dangerous situations.

From the 30th to the 50th kilometer from the city limits, the maximum number of accidents involving trucks is noted. And the reason for this, it would seem, is a harmless "invigorating" drink.

For example, a trucker, in order to get through the city while there are no traffic jams, leaves at 4-5 in the morning. Before the road, he drinks a cup or two of strong brewed coffee and gets behind the wheel. After 25 minutes, the theobromine phase begins. By this time, the driver has driven about 30 km. from the city. At this moment, his blood vessels dilate, the pressure drops, and his eyes begin to stick together.

So, when you go on a trip, do not drink coffee. Better knock over a cup of strong green or black tea. The tea leaf also has caffeine, but no theobromine, so you won't fall prey to the 30-kilometer effect. And even more so, do not touch instant coffee. It is better to drink it before going to bed to make it easier to fall asleep.

And also granulated coffee is a balm for the soul of hypertensive patients. Thanks to decaffeinated coffee, they do not get a sharp jump in blood pressure and can enjoy their favorite drink to their heart's content.

By the way, after the production of instant coffee appeared, the number of deaths from hypertensive crisis fell sharply.

However, the effect of coffee on the body is not yet fully understood, so drink it with caution.

And here is what experts say about the effects of coffee on the human body:

The choice is entirely yours, but the next time you decide to get a boost of energy in the morning, think again - which drink do you prefer?