sPOTLIGHT iNGREDIENT: cOFFEE

sPOTLIGHT iNGREDIENT - Coffee is a drink prepared from roasted coffee beans made from seeds of Coffea plant species. It is darkly colored, bitter, slightly acidic, and has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content, and is one of the most popular drinks in the world.

From the coffee fruit, the seeds are separated to produce unroasted green coffee. The seeds are then roasted and then ground into fine particles that are typically steeped in hot water before being filtered out, producing a cup of coffee. It is usually served hot, although chilled or iced coffee is common. Coffee can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways (e.g., espresso, French press, caffè latte, or already-brewed canned coffee). Sugar, sugar substitutes, milk, and cream are often used to lessen the bitter taste or enhance the flavor.

Though coffee is now a global commodity, it has a long history tied closely to food traditions around the Red Sea. The earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking in the form of the modern beverage appears in modern-day Yemen from the mid-15th century in Sufi shrines, where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed in a manner similar to current methods. The Yemenis procured the coffee beans from the Ethiopian Highlands via coastal Somali intermediaries and began cultivation. By the 16th century, the drink had reached the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, later spreading to Europe. In the 20th century, coffee became a global commodity, creating different coffee cultures around the world.

The two most commonly grown coffee bean types are C. arabica and C. robusta. Coffee plants are cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the Americas, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa. As of 2018, Brazil was the leading grower of coffee beans, producing 35% of the world's total. Green, unroasted coffee is the most traded agricultural commodity and one of the most traded commodities overall, second only to petroleum. 

Apart from drinking coffee, you can also use coffee in many beauty recipes for gorgeous skin and hair. This genius ingredient works great as an exfoliator and a genius hack for puffy eyes.

Coffee is also a great exfoliator for your scalp. Take a half cup of ground coffee and massage on your wet hair for two minutes. Rinse it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. This will help to get rid of excess product build up and dead skin cells.

This genius ingredient is also known a good body scrub to minimize cellulite. Coffee helps to tighten skin and also reduce the appearance of dimply cellulite. For the DIY body scrub, mix ground coffee with a spoon of olive oil and sugar. Use this mixture and massage on the affected area in circular motions. You can follow this routine on daily basis, depending on your skin type.

Surprisingly, though, rinsing your hair with coffee may also improve dullness because it contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that promote hair regeneration. Your hair shaft can become smoother. This can relieve frizziness, resulting in hair that's softer and easier to detangle.

Coffee may help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the skin. It’s thought that the caffeine contentTrusted Source in coffee is the key to cellulite reduction by dilating blood vessels beneath the skin and improving overall blood flow. In turn, this may help decrease the appearance of cellulite.

Applying coffee directly to your skin may help decrease the appearance of sun spots, redness, and fine lines.

Coffee is a rich source of vitamin B3 (niacin), thanks to a breakdown of a key compound called trigonelline. However, trigonelline breaks down into niacin after coffee beans have been roasted. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, niacin may be helpful in preventing nonmelanoma skin cancers and can possibly prevent other skin growths.

Anti-inflammatory effects may be attributed to chlorogenic acid (CGA) as well as melanoidins in coffee. CGA is also linked to reducing hyperpigmentation that may have a connection with inflammation.

In the case of a wound or frequent skin infections, the regular use of coffee could help combat problems from harmful bacteria. The CGAs in coffee have both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Combined with the natural exfoliation of coffee grounds, all these benefits can collectively fight acne.

The environment is full of free radicals (pollution particles, etc.) that wreak havoc on the skin. However, loading up skin with the antioxidants in coffee protects it and bolsters its natural defences. In fact, a study showed that coffee bean extracts can be responsible for skin cell energy preservation due to its free-radical properties.”

UVB is harmful and may even lead to more complicated and life-threatening skin diseases. Protecting your skin with caffeine may protect it against UV carcinogens. According to another study, caffeine actually inhibits the DNA damage response, thus protecting skin against the adverse effects of UVB. The inhibition of DNA damage response may offer a therapeutic option for non-melanoma skin cancer.

Because of its qualities that signal tissue repair, coffee plays a crucial role in regulating cell re-growth, leading to retained hydration (increased collagen) and increased skin elasticity.

When coffee promotes blood circulation, it leads to healthy and energised skin, effectively reducing the swelling of tissues and de-puffing areas of the skin.You can also make coffee ice cubes in advance and trace it over the affected are.

For a radiant and glowing complexion, you can try a coffee mask. Take half cup of coffee and mix it with few spoons of milk for thick consistency. Use this mixture as a face pack for 10-15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. This face mask will help to get rid of dead skin cells, leaving behind a glowing skin.

Coffee increases circulation and also helps to reduce puffiness as it is high in antioxidant properties. It helps to shrink blood vessels and works great to reduce eye puffiness. Whenever you make a cup of coffee, keep the grounds aside and let them cool for some time. Apply the leftover under the eyes and eyelid area for a few minutes and later rinse it off with cold water. For puffy eyes, you can also try the coffee ice cubes hack.

Coffee may also help treat stubborn dark circles under the eyes, according to Beverly Hills MD Cosmeceuticals. This is because the caffeine content in coffee is thought to help dilate blood vessels that contribute to dark circles.

To use coffee for dark undereye circles:
Combine ½ tsp each of coffee grounds and olive oil. Add in a couple drops of water to make a small paste in your hand. Gently pat underneath your eyes without rubbing. Leave the mixture on for five to ten minutes. Rinse off with water or gently wipe the mask with a soft cloth. Repeat as often as needed.

The same anti-aging benefits from coffee can also be used for post-sun care. The key here is to make a soothing treatment that your sunburned skin will appreciate — not a mask or a scrub as you would for other skin ailments.

To make a coffee-based skin treatment for a sunburn:
Brew a fresh cup of coffee. Then, dilute it with cold water. Place a soft cloth or a study paper towel in the water and wring out any excess. Gently dab the cloth on the affected areas of skin. Repeat several times a day until redness and swelling start to subside

There are many different ways to make a coffee face mask at home. The best way is to mix coffee grounds with a noncomedogenic ingredient (meaning it won’t clog your pores). Here’s one recipe to try:

Mix together equal parts olive oil and coffee grounds.
Apply to your face in a circular motion.
Leave the mask on between 15 and 60 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water. Repeat up to three times per week.

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