Nourished Brain Podcast

Author: Sarah Thomsen Ferreira

The Nourished Brain Podcast is your trusted source for understanding the science-backed connection between nutrition, mental health, and brain function. Hosted by integrative and functional dietitian Sarah Ferreira, MS, MPH, RD, IFNCP, each episode dives into the field of nutritional neuroscience and explores how nutrition affects mood, cognition, and emotional well-being. Through expert interviews and evidence-based strategies, episodes focus on practical ways to support brain health at every stage of life.
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Language: en

Genres: Health & Fitness, Nutrition

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How Caffeine Shapes Your Brain — Focus, Fatigue, and Long-Term Brain Health
Saturday, 1 November, 2025

Caffeine — it’s the world’s favorite stimulant and a daily ritual for millions. But what does it really do to your brain? In this episode of The Nourished Brain Podcast, we unpack the science behind caffeine’s short- and long-term effects on focus, mood, sleep, and brain health.Learn how caffeine interacts with adenosine, the molecule that builds sleep pressure, and why older adults metabolize caffeine more slowly, leading to longer-lasting effects. We’ll also explore the latest research showing that moderate coffee and tea intake may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and depression — but that too much can backfire on mood and sleep.🔍 You’ll discover:How caffeine really boosts alertness — and why that 3pm cup might keep you up at nightThe role of genetics, age, and kidney function in how your body clears caffeineWhat large meta-analyses reveal about coffee and tea’s protective effects on cognitive declineWhy caffeine’s effect on mood is bidirectional — and how to find your personal sweet spotWhether you’re a latte lover or trying to cut back, this episode helps you understand how caffeine impacts your brain — for better and for worse.---------💡 Have a question you’d like me to cover on the podcast? Or interested in joining as a guest? Looking for a speaker for your event, workshop, or conference? Send me a message at ⁠⁠nourishedbrainpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠.🌱 Want to explore 1:1 nutrition therapy?Learn more here: ⁠⁠foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com⁠⁠.🧠 Stay up to date on the latest nutrition research for brain and mental health. Subscribe to the Brain Food Digest: ⁠⁠brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com⁠⁠.