The Aesthetics Advisor

While coffee (and the caffeine it contains) gives pleasure and health benefits to countless people, many see nothing wrong with several cups per day, which could increase health risks for some. Drinking less coffee, or just eliminating caffeine from your diet, may help improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and even reduce headaches, among other benefits. Caffeine Is a Psychoactive Substance Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed “ psychoactive substance .” It’s considered psychoactive due to its effects on alertness and our mental state, and it’s used daily by at least 85 percent of Americans. It has addictive effects for some people, affecting the same parts of the brain as cocaine—but in  different ways . Yet according to  a review  in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, caffeine use doesn’t fit the profile of an addictive drug. “Its intake does no harm to the individual or to society and its users are not compelled to consume it. Though cessati...

Polyphenols are powerful organic compounds found in plants, which offer protection from ultraviolet light, pathogens, 1   oxidative damage and harsh climates. With more than 8,000 identified to date, consuming foods rich in polyphenols may help ward off both acute and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, 2   Type 2 diabetes and obesity. 3 While polyphenols are best known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, they affect multiple physiological processes related to enzyme activity, cell proliferation, signaling pathways and more. 4 As such, these compounds may be integral to achieving optimal health. Fortunately, if you eat a diet based on whole foods, you’ll naturally consume plenty, as polyphenols are abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, cocoa and more. Four Major Types of Polyphenols All polyphenols have phenolic structural features, but there are a variety of sub-groups within this group of phytochemicals, each wit...