Effects of Caffeine

Here's how it works:

Your brain produces a chemical called adenosine. When adenosine binds to the adenosine receptors in your brain, it causes all the activity to slow down and it makes you tired. Caffeine has a structure that is very similar to adenosine, so it binds to the adenosine receptors instead. This causes two things. (1) The activity in your cells does not decrease; it increases. (2) The blood vessels in your brain constrict.

Your body sees all this increased activity, and it thinks that it's in danger. So the pituitary gland sends messages to the adrenaline gland to produce adrenaline. The adrenaline causes your heart rate to increase and your liver to release more sugar into your bloodstream so that you have more energy.

In addition to increasing energy, caffeine has a few other functions as well. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic for many people. It is also an appetite suppressant. As long as you consume a moderate amount of caffeine, the positive effects of caffeine outweigh the negative effects.

How much is too much?

Most people experience what they believe to be positive effects from caffeine if they consume 50-300mg of caffeine (or 1 to 6 cups of iced tea). Some of these effects include alertness, energy, and the ability to concentrate. People who consumer excessive amounts of caffeine can experience negative feelings, such as anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.

Caffeine is a type of drug called a stimulant; it relieves drowsiness, helps you perform repetitive tasks, and improves your ability to work -- for some people. Caffeine is said to be addictive and can cause problems for some people because it can cause anxiety, inability to sleep, rapid breathing, upset stomach and bowels, and dizziness. It is possible to "overdose" on caffeine. Below are the symptoms a person may experience if he or she has had too much caffeine.

Symptoms of Caffeine Intoxication

physical restlessness
nervousness
excitement
insomnia
flushed face
increased urination
hard time digesting
muscle twitching
rambling thoughts and speech
rapid or irregular heartbeat
periods where you do not feel tired at all

Higher doses of caffeine may cause ringing in the ears or flashes of light, seizures, and possible fatal respiratory failure.

Author: Carol Parsons
Published on: August 20, 1999

Caffeine is a drug. It is powerful and addictive. The three biggest caffeine sources are coffee, cola, and chocolate.

There are many dangers to caffeine. The list below has been taken from “Vitamin Bible” by Earl Mindell.

- The release of stored sugar places heavy stress on the endocrine system.

- Heavy coffee drinkers often develop nervousness or become jittery.

- Coffee-drinking housewives demonstrated symptoms typical of drug withdrawal when switched to a decaffeinated beverage.

- Dr. John Minton, professor of surgery at Ohio State University and specialist in cancer oncology, has found that excessive intake of methylxanthines (active chemicals in caffeine) can cause benign breast disease and prostate problems.

- Many doctors consider caffeine a culprit in hypertensive heart disease.

- Dr. Phillip Cole, in the British medical journal “Lancet”, reported a strong relationship between coffee consumption and cancer of the bladder and the lower urinary tract.

- People who drink five cups of coffee daily have a 50 percent greater chance of having heart attacks than noncoffee drinkers, according to the British medical journal.

- “The Journal of the American Medical Association” reports a disease called caffeinism, with symptoms of appetite loss, weight loss, irritability, insomnia, feelings of flushing, chills, and sometimes a low fever.

- Scientists at John Hopkins University have shown that caffeine can interfere with DNA replication.

- The Center for Science in the Public Interest advises pregnant women to stay away from caffeine, since studies have shown that the amount contained in about four cups of coffee per day causes birth defects in test animals.

- High doses of caffeine will cause laboratory animals to go into convulsions and then die.

The lethal dose of caffeine is around 10g. Below is a table showing the amounts of caffeine in milligrams.

BEVERAGE 12-Ounce Can or Bottle Coca Cola 64.7mg Dr Pepper 60.9mg Mountain Drew 54.7mg Diet Dr Pepper 54.2mg Tab 49.4mg Pepsi-Cola 43.1mg RC Cola 33.7mg Diet RC 33.0mg Diet-Rite 31.7mg

COFFEE Per Serving Instant 66.0mg Percolated 110.0mg Dripolated 146.0mg

TEA BAGS Black 5 minute brew 46.0mg Black 1 minute brew 28.0mg

LOOSE TEA Black 5 minute brew 40.0mg Green 5 minute brew 35.0mg

COCOA 13.0mg

The best alternative to caffeine is Ginseng. This mineral will give you a better and healthier lift, and your body will thank you later.

GINSENG

Ginseng is known for its ability to stimulate mental and physical energy. It is also a mild laxative and helps the body pass toxins faster. It can cure impotence, high and low blood pressure, anemia, arthritis, indigestion, insomnia, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and poor circulation.

The Chinese swear by Ginseng as an all-purpose cure-all, and have been using it for almost 5,000 years.

To work most effectively, it should be taken before breakfast on an empty stomach.

REFERENCE:

Mindell, Earl. Vitamin Bible, 1979, A Warner Communications Company, NY, NY