Biology

CAFFEINE
What is caffeine
Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee and cacao plants.
It works by stimulating
the brain and central nervous system, helping you stay alert and prevent the onset of
tiredness.
Formula: C8H10N4O2
IUPAC ID: 1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Molar mass: 194.19 g/mol
Density: 1.23 g/cm³
Other names: Guaranine
Caffeinated soft drinks hit the market in the late 1800s and energy drinks soon
followed.
Nowadays, 80% of the world’s population consumes a caffeinated product each day,
and this number goes up to 90% for adults in North America
History
Caffeine has been consumed by humans all over the world for thousands of
years. An ancient Chinese legend says the Emperor Shen Nung . when the
wind blew leaves into his boiling water. He was intrigued by the pleasant
aroma and invigorated after drinking it . An excavated mausoleum from
Xi’an, China for Emperor Jing from the Han Dynasty lends physical evidence
to the fact that it was being consumed at least as early as 141 BCE .
Coffee, on the other hand, has its own legends from native tribes of the
Ethiopian Peninsula. The goat herder Kaldi, who may have lived in the 9th
century CE, discovered his goats would not sleep after consuming the
berries of a certain plant. He concocted a drink from the berries and stayed
alert through long hours of prayer.
effect does caffeine have on the body

Caffeine passes into your bloodstream from your stomach and small
intestine. Once in your bloodstream, caffeine stimulates your central
nervous system – your nerves, brain and spinal cord – to make yo
u feel more
awake and alert.
Caffeine reduces fatigue and improves focus and concentration. It also
causes the release of acid in the stomach, and you might have heartburn or
indigestion after consuming caffeine.
When you drink or eat caffeine, the dopamine signaling in your brain is
enhanced. Dopamine is a chemical that helps with controlling motivation,
emotions and movement. You feel more alert and awake when the signaling
increases.
How is caffeine used in medications
Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-

counter headache remedies, pain relievers and cold medicines. Through
caffeine’s effects on your central nervous system, it helps these drugs act
more effectively. It helps your body absorb headache medicines quicker.
If you are concerned about your caffeine intake, read the product label on
over-the-counter medications or the information sheet that comes with
your prescriptions to determine whether a medication contains caffeine.
The FDA requires that the medication labels list the amount of caffeine
they contain.
Caffeine is also found in some herbal products that people take as
supplements, including guarana, yerba mate, kola nut and green tea
extract. These products are not required by law to show their caffeine
content on the label, and there is no set standard for caffeine content.
Caffeine addiction
Caffeine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant that has the ability to enhance
concentration, increase metabolism, and boost mood. Whether it comes from
coffee, tea, energy drinks, or soda.
This is due to the chemical changes that sustained consumption produces in the
brain. If someone drinks Caffeine on a daily basis, they will develop a tolerance just
as they would to other drugs or alcohol. After a while, the user requires more and
more Caffeine to produce the same effects of alertness. Regular Caffeine drinkers
become acclimated to the wake-up effect that the substance produces and gradually
require higher amounts to achieve the same “Caffeine fix.”
How do I stop being addicted to caffeine?

First alternate between decaf and regular, then slowly change to more
decaf and taper off regular coffee. Gradually reducing your caffeine
consumption over a period of two to three weeks will help you
successfully change your habit without causing withdrawal symptoms.
when it is advantage and when it is disadvantage

That said, it has been suggested that the best time to drink coffee is mid- to late-
morning when your cortisol level is lower.
For most people who get up around 6:30 a.m., this time is between 9:30 and 11:30
a.m.
That said, there’s likely no harm if you prefer to drink coffee upon rising rather than
several hours thereafter.
Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults
refrain from substantial caffeine use for a minimum of 6 hours prior to bedtime.
The top health benefits of drinking coffee

Your brew gives you benefits beyond an energy boost. Here are the top
ways coffee can positively impact your health:
You could live longer.
coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of
death in women: coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney
disease.
Your body may process glucose (or sugar) better.
That’s the theory behind studies that found that people who drink more
coffee are less likely to get type 2 diabetes.
You're less likely to develop heart failure.
Drinking one to two cups of coffee a day may help ward off heart failure,
when a weakened heart has difficulty pumping enough blood to the body.
You are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease.
Caffeine is not only linked to a lower chance of developing Parkinson’s
disease, but it may also help those with the condition better control their
movements.
Your liver will thank you.
Both regular and decaf coffee seem to have a protective effect on your liver.
Research shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme
levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee.
Your DNA will be stronger.
Dark roast coffee decreases breakage in DNA strands, which occur naturally
but can lead to cancer or tumors if not repaired by your cells.
Your odds of getting colon cancer will go way down.
One in 23 women develop colon cancer. But researchers found that coffee
drinkers — decaf or regular — were 26 percent less likely to develop
colorectal cancer.
You're not as likely to suffer a stroke.

For women, drinking at least one cup of coffee a day is associated with
lowered stroke risk, which is the fourth leading cause of death in women.
the side effects from too much caffeine
 Restlessness and shakiness
 Insomnia
 Headaches
 Dizziness
 Fast heart rate
 Dehydration
 Anxiety
What are energy drinks, and why can they be a problem?

Energy drinks are beverages that have added caffeine. The amount of
caffeine in energy drinks can vary widely, and sometimes the labels on the
drinks do not give you the actual amount of caffeine in them. Energy drinks
may also contain sugars, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Companies that make energy drinks claim that the drinks can increase
alertness and improve physical and mental performance. This has helped
make the drinks popular with American teens and young adults.
There is not enough evidence to show that they enhance strength or
power. But what we do know is that energy drinks can be dangerous
because they have large amounts of caffeine. And since they have lots of
sugar, they can contribute to weight gain and worsen diabetes.
Who should avoid or limit caffeine?

You should check with your health care provider about whether you should
limit or avoid caffeine if you:
Are pregnant, since caffeine passes through the placenta to your baby.
Are breastfeeding, since a small amount of caffeine that you consume is
passed along to your baby.
Have sleep disorders, including insomnia.
Have migraines or other chronic headaches.
Have anxiety.
Have GERD or ulcers.
Have arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat).
Have high blood pressure.
Are a child or teen. Neither should have as much caffeine as adults. Children
can be especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
What is caffeine withdrawal?

If you have been consuming caffeine on a regular basis and then suddenly
stop, you may have caffeine withdrawal. Symptoms can include:
Headaches
Drowsiness
Irritability
Nausea
Trouble concentrating
These symptoms usually go away after a couple of days
conclusion
Caffeine is a very potent, yet unrecognized drug. Although there are
beneficial side effects to caffeine intake, the negative effects clearly indicate
that one should limit their caffeine consumption.
Many major organ systems are adversely affected by high amounts of
caffeine consumption, including the heart, stomach, respiratory, and
reproductive organs. Age and diet are both factors in caffeine's effects on
the body.
Young children and older people must be much more careful in
monitoring their caffeine intake and should limit themselves to less than 100
mg of caffeine per day. Those in between can take in slightly more, but 200
mg of caffeine each day is about the maximum that the average person can
ingest without adverse side affects.
Although caffeine is a common substance found in many foods,
beverages, and other supplements, it is clearly a drug and can be extremely
harmful to the human body. Caffeine consumption should clearly be
monitored and limited.
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CAFFEINE

IUPAC ID: 1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione

Molar mass: 194.19 g/mol

Density: 1.23 g/cm³

Other names: Guaranine

effect does caffeine have on the body

How is caffeine used in medications

Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-

How do I stop being addicted to caffeine?

when it is advantage and when it is disadvantage

The top health benefits of drinking coffee

You're not as likely to suffer a stroke.

What are energy drinks, and why can they be a problem?

Who should avoid or limit caffeine?

What is caffeine withdrawal?

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