An early morning ritual, a cultural tradition, a productivity hack, or a health drink can all be attributed to a warm cup of coffee. A coffee pot is usually present in many homes, offices, restaurants, and social gatherings. Recent studies suggest, for instance, that coffee drinkers appear to live longer and have lower risks of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular conditions, and some cancers (although some scientists think we need more studies). Coffee is also the largest source of caffeine for most people, and that’s where most of the risks associated with coffee consumption come from. Not many of us think of it as a "drug”, much less our daily use of it as an addiction.
Nobody really knows when the cultivation of coffee started, but it likely originated in the eastern part of Africa. There is a popular Ethiopian legend of a goat herder who noticed that when his goats ate the berries from a certain tree, they were more energetic and unable to sleep at night.
He reported his findings to the abbot of a local monastery, who made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert in the evenings. Knowledge of this beverage soon spread to the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
Currently, global production of coffee is more than 10 million tonnes per year and it is estimated that over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily around the world. In Rwanda, the cultivation of coffee is equally popular and contributes significantly to the local economy.
The annual quantity produced in Rwanda ranges from 20,000 to 22,000 metric tonnes per year. According to the Rwanda Development Board, sales volumes of Rwandan coffee have grown by 700 per cent in the recent past.
There is a growing popularity of coffee culture, especially in emerging economies, and with the expansion of coffee shop chains globally, the demand for coffee has been on the rise. In Kigali and elsewhere, many coffee shops have sprung up as popular fast-food locations and we also see a large variety of coffee in the market.
It’s also very common to see, especially younger people, move around with thermos flasks, usually filled with coffee in the early morning. Factors such as changes in culture, awareness of the perceived health benefits of coffee, and innovative coffee products have contributed to its increasing consumption.
Most people do not yet define excessive coffee drinking as a social problem. However, the consumption of caffeine-related to coffee has become an object of controversy. Some health groups have started to push for the regulation of the consumption of products containing caffeine which include coffee and many types of soft drinks. Although this is an evolving situation, there’s a growing awareness of the potential health risks associated with excessive consumption with issues such as caffeine addiction or sleep disturbances. It’s also important to think about how you take your coffee. Sugar, syrups, whole milk, and cream add calories and saturated fat that could cause weight gain and increase cholesterol levels.
Caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about coffee. Caffeine, categorised as a drug due to its psychoactive qualities, does affect people differently depending on their weight, gender, medications, and overall health. Individuals with certain medical conditions or using specific medications, for example, may be more sensitive to caffeine’s effects or may encounter combinations that magnify its influence.
Excessive coffee drinking can have deleterious effects because of the large amounts of ingested caffeine. Caffeine is thought to be addicting, and prolonged and excessive use can lead to caffeinism, a condition that has serious behavioural and physiological side effects. Tolerance levels and genetic variances can influence how people react to caffeine use.
Cutting out coffee or reducing its consumption could offer numerous benefits, including reduced anxiety, enhanced nutrient absorption, potential calorie savings, and financial gains. Certain nutritionists highlight that caffeine can exacerbate anxiety due to increased lactic acid levels and interfere with nutrient absorption, particularly of vital minerals and B vitamins.
Reducing your coffee intake may lead to financial savings, with the average café-bought cup costing over 3,500 francs in Kigali city. To ease the transition, we can start the day with water and lemon, address fatigue through stress management and a balanced diet, and prioritise quality sleep.
Dr Vincent Mutabazi is an applied epidemiologist.
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