Coffee Myths and Facts: An Interview with Dr. Cheri Mah

Daniel

Welcome to our show. Today we're joined by sleep expert Dr. Luna, who recently made waves with her insights about coffee and sleep. Thank you for being here.

Luna

Thank you for having me, Daniel. It's fascinating how much interest there is in coffee science, especially with Brits drinking 98 million cups daily.

Daniel

Let's start with the viral trend of using coffee grounds for dark circles. What's your professional take on this?

Luna

While caffeine-based products can help with dark circles through vasoconstriction, applying raw coffee grounds is actually harmful. It can cause skin irritation and inflammation. It's concerning how viral these unverified beauty hacks can become.

Daniel

You've popularized the term nappuccino. Could you explain this concept and the science behind it?

Luna

The nappuccino involves taking a short nap right after drinking coffee. Since caffeine takes about 15-20 minutes to kick in, you can benefit from both the rest and the caffeine boost. It's based on solid sleep science and can significantly improve alertness.

Daniel

Many people switch to decaf thinking it's completely caffeine-free. Could you clarify this misconception?

Luna

That's a common misconception. Decaf coffee still contains about 3% of its original caffeine content. The decaffeination process removes most, but not all, of the caffeine. It's important for people to be aware of this, especially if they're sensitive to caffeine.

Daniel

With International Coffee Day approaching on October 1st, what message would you like to share with coffee enthusiasts?

Luna

It's crucial to appreciate not just the beverage but also the farmers and sustainable practices behind it. And when it comes to coffee-related health claims, always verify information from trusted sources rather than relying solely on social media trends.