Does drinking coffee really help you stay awake? |????️ 8 Minute English | Beginner

Does drinking coffee really help you stay awake? 

Transcript

Nathan: Hello listeners, I'm excited that we meet again. Welcome to the 8-minute English podcast series on the Learn English Podcast channel. 

Nathan: I'm your host, Nathan. It's a pleasure to have you with us again.

Nathan: A cup of coffee can give you energy in the morning, or help you stay awake when working at night.

Nathan: But does it always keep you awake? And how should we drink coffee the right way? 

Nathan: The conversation between Drake, Hanna, and Jimmy will answer these questions.  They are relatives who are meeting again at a party.

Nathan: We've prepared a special free PDF for this episode, full of useful tips and vocabulary to help enhance your learning. Don't forget to check it out! Now let's start this journey!

Drake (Male, 35 years old): You know, I can't even count how many cups of coffee I've had today. Probably my fifth one. 

Drake: But hey, it keeps me awake.

Jimmy (Male, 22 years old): I’m thinking of drinking more coffee too. I just started my first job, and I feel tired all the time.

Hanna (Female, 30 years old): It must be very hard for you at the first time.

Jimmy: Do you think coffee really works? 

Jimmy: I’ve been losing sleep, and I’m not sure if coffee will help or make it worse.

Hanna: I can understand why you feel that way, Jimmy. Coffee does make you feel more awake, but it’s not always the best answer. 

Drake: Magic or not, it works for me! 

Drake: I mean, look at me. I’m still going strong, even after all those late nights at work. And coffee’s my best friend. 

Drake: It's just coffee, right?

Hanna: Oh, it’s a bit more than just coffee. 

Hanna: That’s because of the caffeine in the coffee. Caffeine affects the brain. 

Drake: So, it doesn’t just make you feel awake and that’s it?

Hanna: That's right. 

Hanna: It stops something in your body called adenosine. Adenosine makes you feel tired. 

Hanna: So, when you drink coffee, the caffeine stops you from feeling sleepy, 

and you feel more awake.

Jimmy: Oh, so caffeine makes the brain think we’re not tired?

Hanna: Exactly! 

Hanna: But the effect of caffeine doesn’t stay for a long time. When it’s gone, the tired feeling comes back, and you might feel even more sleepy. 

Hanna: That’s why sometimes you feel very tired after the caffeine goes away.

Drake: Yeah, I’ve had those tired moments after coffee, but I just grab another cup. 

Drake: Problem solved, right?

Hanna: That’s the tricky part. 

Hanna: The more coffee you drink, the more your body gets used to it. Over time, you need more coffee to feel awake. 

Jimmy: So, if I drink a lot of coffee now, it won't help me as much later? 

Jimmy: That sounds hard.

Hanna: Yes, that's true. 

Hanna: And if you keep drinking more coffee, you might also get some bad effects.

Drake: Bad effects? 

Drake: It’s just coffee. 

Drake: How bad could it be?

Hanna: If you drink too much coffee, it can make you feel nervous, or make it hard to sleep later. It's not as harmless as you think if you drink a lot. 

Drake: I didn’t know coffee could do that to me...

Hanna: Yes, if you drink it in the afternoon or evening, it can make it hard to sleep. A lot of people drink coffee and don’t realize it’s why they can’t sleep well.

Drake: Okay, I understand. 

Drake: But for someone like me who needs to stay awake for work, what else can I do? 

Drake: Coffee is the easiest option.

Hanna: There are other ways to stay awake. 

Hanna: Sometimes you’re just tired because you’re not drinking enough water. Drinking water can help, or you can take a short walk to feel more awake. A healthy snack with protein can give you energy that lasts longer than coffee.

Jimmy: I could try walking instead of drinking coffee, but coffee seems faster.

Drake: Yeah, how can I drink coffee without having too much?

Hanna: You don’t need to quit coffee. Just be smart about it. 

Hanna: Remember not to drink it too late in the day. It’ll mess with your sleep.

Hanna: For example, drink coffee only in the morning or right after lunch, but skip it in the late afternoon. 

Hanna: This way, you can still enjoy coffee without it messing up your sleep.

Drake: Maybe I’ll try to drink less coffee. I could switch to something else after 5 PM.

Hanna: That's a great idea! 

Hanna: Coffee is okay as long as you also drink water, eat healthy, and sleep enough. It's all about balance.

Jimmy: That sounds possible for me.

Hanna: Yeah, you can also try different types of coffee. Just find one that is suitable for you. Some coffees have more caffeine, while others have less.

Drake: That's right!

Drake: If you like Vietnamese drip coffee, it’s very strong. 

Hanna: It takes a long time to brew, which makes it taste even stronger. 

Hanna: You just have to pick what suits your energy needs.

Hanna: You can try a small sample pack of the coffee before you buy it for a large amount.

Jimmy: Thanks.

Jimmy: These tips sound simple, but I think they’ll really help. 

Jimmy: I’ll start tomorrow!

Drake: Let's see how long you can do it, Jimmy. Especially with your new job

Hanna: Hey, it’s all about forming good habits now. You guys got this.

Drake: Just kidding.

Drake: I'm doing it too. No more coffee in the afternoon for me.

Nathan: Now, let's learn some important vocabulary together.

Nathan: The first word for today is 'Awake'. The meaning of it is pretty easy: Not sleeping. Hanna says coffee helps her stay awake during long work hours.

Nathan: Then, we have a noun called 'Magic'. It is a power that seems impossible. Drake jokes that whether coffee is magic or not, it still helps him feel awake even when he’s tired.

Nathan: The next word is also a noun: 'Effect'. This means a change that results from something. Hanna says the effect of caffeine doesn’t last for a long time.

Nathan: Now, let's learn the verb 'Grab'. It is the act of taking something quickly. Drake often grabs another cup of coffee when he feels tired.

Nathan: The last word is 'Option'. It means a choice between different things. Jimmy says coffee seems like the easiest option to stay awake.

Nathan: Now let's answer some questions below.

Nathan: The first question. 

Nathan: What would you do if you felt tired at work like Jimmy? 

Nathan: If I felt tired at work, I’d take a quick walk or maybe have a small snack. It’s better than drinking coffee all the time.

Nathan: The second question.

Nathan: Would you stop drinking coffee in the afternoon like Drake plans to?

Nathan: About me, I would stop drinking coffee in the afternoon, because I want to sleep better at night.

Nathan: That's all! Please share your answers in the comment section.I would like to hear.

Nathan: Hey everyone! Here’s a fun and surprising fact about coffee:

Nathan: Did you know that coffee can actually improve your social interactions?

Nathan: A study from the University of Oxford found that caffeine can make people feel closer. This means that sharing a cup of coffee can make your conversations easier. It can also create a stronger friendship. 

Nathan: But be careful: Too much coffee can make you feel nervous, which can have the opposite effect! 

Nathan: So, when you have coffee with a friend, remember you’re not just enjoying a drink, you’re also building a connection! Just don’t drink too much to keep the good feelings!

Nathan: I’ll suggest some activities, so you will have so much fun with friends or family when going out for coffee.

Nathan: Trying a board game like Uno or Jenga, adding a little friendly competition to your coffee time. Don't forget to choose a board game cafe for a suitable and comfortable space.

Nathan: You can also share favorite books or talk about a recent read. It's a perfect chance to explore fun ideas together.

Nathan: For something creative, bring along a notebook to sketch, write, or even give project ideas. 

Nathan: You could also pick a fun topic to chat about, like dream travel spots or future goals. That's it.

Nathan: So, let's enjoy it from now on!

Nathan: That is the end of today's topic. I hope you found ways to stay awake without using too much coffee. 

Nathan: Coffee is good if we use it right.  You can also look for other things to help you feel awake. Try using the tips from the podcast for a while and come back to share your results! I hope you succeed!

Nathan: Good bye and see you again in the next episode! Please stay healthy!