Several studies note that compared to placebos, caffeine can improve memory. For students cramming for an exam -- or even those in the workplace trying to improve their performance -- the memory and cognition-boosting effects of caffeine can be beneficial. Caffeine dilates your blood vessels, making more blood available to the brain and boosting cognition. It can even increase oxygen saturation in the blood, making the blood delivered to the brain richer and more useful.

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