We all know that one of the most powerful chemical compounds found in both coffee and tea is caffeine. Has caffeine become an important part of your daily life? Did you know that a consumption of coffee that ranges between four and seven cups a day can provoke problems such as anxiety, headaches and stress, not to mention many others?
No matter your answer, read the words below and think some more about your own addiction to caffeine.
Caffeine is actually an organic nitrogenous compound from the alkaloid group. Found in many plants, a deadly dose of caffeine would be 10 grams. Contrary to what you might expect, excessive consumption of caffeine will cause not hyper-stimulation, but instead a slowdown in the nervous system, and even fatigue.
When, however, it is consumed in amounts between 200-400 milligrams, caffeine has stimulatory effects and decreases fatigue. There are other effects, such as a boost to stamina, as well as to physical, psychomotor and intellectual performance, that can all be brought about by caffeine in limited amounts. Here are some other facts about caffeine:
It has the effect of eliminating numbness in the nervous system and mental fatigue.
In high doses, it can cause convulsions.
It makes the heart beat more quickly, as well as speeding up the respiratory system.
It is a light diuretic.
It has the effect of speeding up metabolism, stimulating stomach activity and alerting nerves and muscles.
When consumed in normal amounts (200-300 milligrams) it increases appetite.
Caffeine and addiction In general, caffeine is not addictive. But in those who drink too much coffee, there are some shared characteristics and phenomenon similar to that seen in those addicted to certain medicines. In various tests, it has been shown that caffeine can, in fact, form a physical addiction. In situations when caffeine was denied, the test subject showed a decreased interest in what was going on around him or her, increased anxiety, headaches, a reduction in mental acuity and extreme worry.
How much caffeine?The answer to this question is not clear. People may have varying levels of tolerance for caffeine. Caffeine is immediately absorbed by the body, entering the circulatory system quickly. Though it does not build up in the body and in the circulatory system, it exits through the urinary tract only a few hours afterwards. Our advice is, if you are addicted, try not to cut yourself off immediately from caffeine. Otherwise, some of the effects you may feel include headaches, sleepiness, depression and nausea.
Is it really harmless? Extreme consumption of caffeine and even addiction can cause some serious side effects. It is difficult for us to even imagine the damage drinks such as cola do to our stomachs, especially after seeing what they can do to metal containers and such. Just as drinks like these also trigger an addiction to caffeine, they also include extreme levels of sugar and sweeteners, none of which are good for people with diabetes or depression or anyone with coronary troubles.
If you are thirsty, drink water Rather than reaching for a caffeinated drink when you are thirsty, try drinking water. Caffeinated drinks are also diuretics, which make you urinate more, and thus leaves your body without sufficient water. This is why drinking water is by far the best way to quench your thirst.
Medical use of caffeine There can be respiratory problems in premature babies, as their systems are not fully developed yet. Taking advantage of the stimulatory effects caffeine has on the respiratory system, doctors sometimes give small doses of caffeine to prematurely born babies, and then these treatments are followed in the laboratory to determine their effects.
Curious about which drinks have what levels of caffeine?According to research carried out by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, The Hershey Co. and Vroom Foods Inc., some typical drinks and the levels of caffeine they contain are as follows:
Type of drink Caffeine level (mg)
Cappuccino, 12 oz.
Coffee, decaffeinated, instant, 8 oz.
Coffee, decaffeinated, brewed, 8 oz.
Espresso, 1 oz. Coffee, caffeinated, instant, 8 oz. Coffee, caffeinated, brewed, 8 oz.
Coffee Latte, 16 oz. Coffee Grande, 16 oz. Black tea, brewed, 8 oz Green tea, brewed Ice Tea, 12 oz. Energy drinks, 8,3 oz.
(6.5 oz. is approx. 1 mug or 235 ml)
