Caffeine is everywhere in our society. It is in our most popular beverages, our medications, and even in our desserts. The vast majority of people consume caffeine in some form on a daily basis. Caffeine has effects both good and bad. In small quantities it is considered a safe stimulant. In large quantities it can make a person sick. Abuse of caffeine over long periods of time can lead to severe health problems and even death.
History of
Caffeine was consumed by people in prehistoric times. They realized they became more alert when they chewed or ate certain beans and leaves. Later people realized they could get that alert feeling from caffeine much more quickly by brewing the beans and leaves in hot water. Ancient civilizations in China drank tea. Ancient civilizations of Persia and Egypt drank coffee. Ancient Mayans brewed cocoa. The use of caffeinated drinks spread throughout the world. In the early 20th century, Coca Cola became popular. This start the era of the caffeinated soft drink. Caffeine is now one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world.
Type
The most obvious way to consume caffeine is by drinking coffee. A 5-ounce cup of regular coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine. A cup of tea has about 50 mg of caffeine. A 12-ounce soft drink ranges from 34 mg in a Coca Cola to 55 mg in a Mountain Dew. Energy drinks advertise their caffeine content to young consumers who think more caffeine is better. An 8.2-ounce Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine, while a 16-ounce Monster Energy has 160 mg. There is also caffeine in chocolate and cocoa, but it is small compared to other caffeinated drinks. Milk chocolate has 6 mg of caffeine in a 1-ounce bar, dark chocolate 20 mg and hot cocoa 4 mg for a 5-ounce cup. Many over-the-counter medications contain caffeine. A cold tablet has about 30 mg of caffeine, while an Excedrin Extra Strength has 65 mg. Caffeine tablets contain the strongest concentration of the drug. A Vivarin tablet contains 200 mg of caffeine.
The Facts
Caffeine is a stimulant. It affects the central nervous system making people who consume it more alert and energetic. It is also known to make people feel better and improve their mood. Caffeine increases blood flow in the brain, so it is often used to help people stay awake or concentrate. In small amounts, caffeine is considered harmless. In large amounts, it can cause irritability, nervousness and insomnia. Caffeine is not stored in the body but takes several hours to metabolize. People can feel caffeine's effects for up to 6 hours after consuming it.
Benefits
Moderate caffeine use of between 200 mg and 300 mg is considered safe. For a short time it can make people more productive and aware. Studies show that people can increase their physical and intellectual workload with the help of caffeine. Many athletes use caffeine to get more out of their workouts, while ordinary people use it to help them wake up in the morning. Caffeine is used in the treatment of certain breathing disorders and premature infants. People also like caffeine. The legal stimulant is used daily by about 90 percent of the adults in the United States.
Risk Factors
It does not take long to build a tolerance to caffeine. More and more of the drug is then needed to achieve the same amount of alertness. Caffeine addiction is common. People who consume large amounts of caffeine on a regular basis suffer withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability when they don't take caffeine. Some doctors argue that caffeine can increase a woman's chances of having a miscarriage. A chronic addiction to caffeine is called "caffeinism." This is manifested by a physical and psychological dependence on caffeine and severe physical problems ranging from heartbeat irregularities to difficulty breathing. Caffeine is associated with stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease. Deaths have even been associated with extreme caffeine use.
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