One of the most common customs in our culture is to take a coffee every morning to stay awake. Many people increase their use of the drink even further, drinking a few cups at various times of the day, for example after lunch and at any other time of the day to give themselves extra energy.
Coffee is so present in our lives that it is common to come across cups of coffee being handed out for free in stores or restaurants. But this is no coincidence! A recent study linked the consumption of the drink with a greater tendency towards consumerism.
Furthermore, drinking coffee at the wrong times can also harm your physical health. So, if you are a big fan of the drink, keep reading and find out when you should avoid it.
Research conducted with 300 people links coffee to consumerism
A discovery made by scientists at the University of South Florida has revealed that drinking coffee before going shopping could make you go over the limit.
They discovered that coffee acts on our dopamine neurotransmitters, releasing more and more of this hormone into the body. This increases the feeling of pleasure and reward and, consequently, increases our tendency towards impulsivity.
The researchers concluded this after testing 300 people in a store. Some of the group were given coffee, while others did not drink the beverage.
Scientists compared people’s final shopping scores and observed that the group exposed to caffeine was more likely to engage in consumerism and unnecessary purchases. This, in turn, increased the establishment’s sales.
For this reason, many store owners and markets in different sectors often distribute coffee to their customers. In this way, they increase their profits through small doses of dopamine.
The bottom line is: if you’re looking to save money while out and about, try to stay away from caffeine, even if it comes for free!