The Effects of Caffeine on Your Health
When caffeine is consumed in relatively high doses it can cause many unwanted side effects. So why are people drinking so much in the first place?
Caffeine ConsumptionCaffeine consumption has vastly increased which goes to show you how tired people really are. People consume high amounts of caffeine because they are tired from working longer hours and are looking for other sources of energy besides the nutrition they get. Coffee and energy drinks are high in demand and sales reflect and support it. Think about the sales of Starbucks coffee all over the world. People are tired and they are demanding legal ways to stay awake longer, but too much caffeine may have some long term health consequences for your heart and your health. Caffeine is commonly associated with coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, sodas, and tea. Soft drinks typically contain about 10 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Energy drinks such as Red Bull contain as much as 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving. A typical 28-gram serving of a milk chocolate bar has about as much caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee. One serving of coffee ranges from 40 milligrams, for a single shot of espresso, to about 100 milligrams for a cup of drip coffee. Generally, dark-roast coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts as the roasting process reduces the bean's caffeine content. (Who'd have thunk?) What are the physical effects of caffeine? Caffeine increases heartbeat, respiration, basal metabolic rate, and the production of stomach acid and urine. It also relaxes smooth muscles, notably the bronchial muscle. These reactions start anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes after caffeine is consumed, except in the central nervous system which is affected between 30 - 60 minutes after ingestion. These approximations depend on hormonal status, smoking, medications, and liver function. Ever tried energy drinks to boost your energy? According to researchers, popular energy drinks like Red Bull cause the heart rate to race at much higher rates which is dangerous for people with heart conditions or heart problems. Studies have also shown that excesses in caffeine decrease reaction times to both visual and auditory stimuli. It can also diminish performance of manual tasks that involve delicate muscular coordination and accurate timing. *It is interesting however to note, that it does not significantly alter numerical reasoning (arithmetic skills) or short term memory. As bad as some of these things may sound, caffeine may have gotten a bad rap. There are many misconceptions about the effects of caffeine on your health. (This section is very interesting so you may want to grab of cup of Joe!) The Effects of Caffeine on Your HealthCirrhosis of the Liver - According to new research, drinking coffee may counteract alcohol’s poisonous effects on the liver and help prevent cirrhosis. In a study of more than 125,000 people, one cup of coffee per day cut the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis by 20%. Four cups a day reduced the risk by 80%. The effects of caffeine (drinking coffee) held true for women and men of various ethnic backgrounds. The same study found coffee drinkers had healthier results on blood tests used to measure liver function, whether or not they drank a lot of alcohol. *It is unclear whether it is the caffeine or some other ingredient in coffee that provides the protection. Headache - There is no doubt in the correlation between headache's and caffeine. The more you drink, the more you'll need to get rid of pain in the throbbing noggin! People who consume caffeine regularly are subject to caffeine withdrawal if they abstain for a day or so. Symptoms may present as a terrible headache and excessive sleepiness. Side effects of caffeine withdrawal can last for 2 - 3 days. Headaches caused by caffeine withdrawal led researchers to study the effects of caffeine on those with persistent headaches or migraines. Research found that caffeine is actually of great benefit to those with migraines or frequent headaches. Over the counter medications like Excedrin® combine aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen and are thought to be most effective in treating headaches. Migraine sufferers who take a caffeine supplement at the first signs of a migraine can steer them away. In this way the effects of caffeine are beneficial to them. Heartburn - The effects of caffeine in coffee can relax the sphincter muscles at the lower end of the esophagus, which allows the stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. This is called commonly called heartburn. *Caffeine by itself, has no effect on the sphincter muscles, so other substances in coffee apparently can cause heartburn.
Heart Disease - The relationship between drinking coffee and heart disease has been investigated in numerous studies over the years. However, these risks have not been clearly documented. Recent studies at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute found heavy coffee drinkers (defined as 5+ cups per day) were 2 - 3 times more likely to have coronary heart disease than were non coffee consumers. This relationship was true even when they accounted for other important risk factors such as age, smoking habits, serum cholesterol and blood pressure. Some researchers found that within 4 hours of consuming various types of coffee, blood pressure increased and heart rates spiked. Blood pressure increased approximately 10% for the systolic rate, 8% for the diastolic rate and heart rates increased 11% overall. Researchers note that these levels are of little danger for healthy young adults but these levels can be serious for elderly people with heart conditions. The study did not account for the effects of diet, sedentary lifestyle, or high levels of occupational stress. Nor did it indicate the exact quantity of coffee consumed, the type of coffee (decaffeinated or regular), the brewing method, or the use of cream or sugar in the coffee. If coffee drinking does increase the risk of heart disease, it may do so through its effect on cholesterol levels. A few studies have linked heavy coffee consumption to elevated total serum cholesterol, although caffeine alone does not seem to be responsible. It may not even be the caffeine that causes heart problems but a high saturated fat diet among heavy caffeine users that increases the risk for heart disease. Increased caffeine consumption by men has been associated with higher levels of cortisol, which increases the urge to consume more fatty foods which increases cholesterol. These results were said to be clinically significant for those who take medication to treat heart conditions as energy drinks or high consumptions of coffee may adversely affect heart medication effectiveness. Caffeine is often used to perform activities that require focus and high intensity, however heart rates increased for these participants while they were stationary too, such as while watching TV shows or playing cards. Researchers advise anyone who has a heart condition to avoid high amounts of caffeine until further research can be done. In fact, moderation is key for everyone when you consider what you consume and relate it to your health! Many doctors suggest that you avoid caffeine altogether until further studies on the effects of caffeine have been done. High levels of caffeine have been linked to Cancer, cardiovascular problems, extreme mood swings, and psychological dependence. If you have heart problems and want to stay away from caffeine altogether, there are some natural alternatives to boost energy that work very well. Please see the next page for more information. Related Pages Boost Energy Levels Naturally Without Caffeine Have a Heart – A Healthy Heart! Eat Healthy Foods – Live Long and Prosper! Healthy Meals for a Healthy Lifestyle Diet and Health – You Are What You Eat! Stay Healthy and Enjoy More of Your Life! Related Products Natural High Energy Supplements
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People reach for caffeine without even thinking most of the time. Its an automated response for most of us. We want to stay more alert and be more focused on daily tasks. Who can resist a hot cup of coffee or a chocolate bar?
