The origins of coffee is still a huge debate among enthusiasts, while documented consumption of coffee did not arrive till the 17^th century- the Oromo People of Ethiopia are sort of credited for the discovery of the coffee berry, which is claimed to be in use since the 9^th century.

 The coffee bean was a closely guarded secret of the Middle East. So whatever coffee left the region was roasted or boiled and sterilized to avoid cultivation, but it was a Sufi Baba Budan who first smuggled it outside the region which led to the spread of the bean throughout the world. It is believed that he smuggled 7 beans, by strapping them to his chest. These beans were then planted in Mysore.

Not surprisingly then, caffeine is the number one psychoactive drug used today in the world. Consumed via, coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and even pills, every body it seems is in a constant need to stay up and about.

Like any other drug, caffeine is lethal at a stupendously high dose, about 100 cups of coffee in a day, which can be lethal to the human body. But at its lower dose, caffeine like any other drug has its benefits.

Methylexanthine has a similar structure to adenosine, which basically signals your brain that it has to shut down for a bit, making you feel more and more sleepy. if you are at work, or at class, you reach out to your nearest caffeine dispenser. When coffee enter your system the methylxanthine molecule goes and binds to adenosine receptors giving you a feeling of alertness.

Bees too seem to respond to caffeine in a positive manner too. In fact plants seem to be using caffeine to their benefit. Although the drug is meant for the plants defences, recently a study showed that caffeine did more than just that. A study published in the journal of Science (G.A. Wright, 2013), showed that caffeine in the plant’s nectar enhanced the memory of bees. It was observed that bees that were rewarded with caffeine remembered the floral scent more keenly, even after a period of 72 hours, which is quite remarkable.

In fact caffeine is also being studied as a combined drug therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease. Regular intake of caffeine, in men is also theorised to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.  However the interesting point is that in women however there seems to be a reversal, while in men regular caffeine consumption keeps Parkinson’s at bay, women who have more than 6 cups daily are at a 4 fold risk of acquiring the disease, while women who have less than a cup of coffee daily, seem to be protected from the disease. While a regular caffeine boast during a life time seems to do well to keep Parkinson’s at bay, while you get the disease however, caffeine seems to have no effect. 

Interesting Reads plus my resources !

Bees Nectar and caffeine