CAFFEINE AND HEALTH
Caffeine is known for its stimulant, or "wake up" effect. Once a person consumes caffeine, it is easily absorbed by the body and carried in the blood, when its level reaches a peak about an hour after consumption. Caffeine gently stimulates the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It affects the brain and results in elevated mood, decreased fatigue and increased attention, so that a person can think more clearly and work harder. It also increases heart rate, blood flow, respiratory rate, and metabolic rate for several hours. When taken before bedtime, caffeine can interfere with it to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Exactly how caffeine affects an individual, and for how long, depends on many factors, including the amount of caffeine ingested, if one is male or female, height and weight, age, and if one is pregnant or smokes. Caffeine is converted by the liver into substances that are excreted in the urine.
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Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. With frequent use, tolerance to many of the effects of caffeine will develop. In doses of 600 milligrams (about six cups of coffee) or more per day, caffeine can cause nervousness, sweating, tension, upset stomach, anxiety and insomnia. It can also prevent clear thinking and increase the side effects of certain medications. This level of caffeine consumption represents a significant health risk.
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Caffeine can be slightly addictive. Even when moderate amounts of caffeine are withdrawn from 18 to 24 hours, one can feel symptoms such as headache, fatigue, irritability, depression and lack of concentration. The symptoms peak within 24 to 48 hours and gradually decrease over the course of a week. To minimize withdrawal symptoms, experts recommend reducing caffeine intake gradually.
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Coffee is a stimulant that postpones sleep. In addition to this obvious fact, which is common knowledge, what effects does coffee have on the body. Here is a small list of the organs and functions in which coffee has or can have an effect.
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Brain. The duration of vigilance is lengthened, delays the onset of fatigue symptoms, especially in intellectual or repetitive tasks. Prevents migraine, reduces the intensity of migraines and increases the analgesic effect of aspirin. Therefore, it has a beneficial action.
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The heart. Among healthy subjects, a normal level of coffee consumption (up to 5 cups spread throughout the day) does not alter cardiovascular functions, heart rate, or blood pressure. However, certain heart disorders means coffee is not recommended.
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The liver. Coffee stimulates certain enzymatic activities and therefore influences the effect of certain medications.
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The muscles. The effects are variable depending on the subject and the type of physical activity. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and increases resistance by delaying the onset of a feeling of tiredness. It does not improve performance, but it facilitates activities that require complex coordination, such as driving machines or vehicles.
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Lungs. Caffeine has a broncho-dilatory action that helps prevent asthma attacks. Dust particles from green coffee beans, however, can cause an allergic skin or respiratory reaction.
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Stomach. Wax and fat in coffee stimulate the secretion of acid in the stomach. They make coffee difficult to digest if served with milk.
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The kidneys. Caffeine is a diuretic.
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The pancreas. Coffee increases the external secretion of the pancreas. Diabetics can consume a moderate amount of coffee unless it leads to a state of nervousness or anxiety, which modifies the control of blood sugar content.
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The bones. A lot of something good can be a problem for caffeine consumers. Evidence suggests that high caffeine intake can accelerate bone loss. One study found that older postmenopausal women who consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine per day lost more bone in the spine of women who consumed less than 300 mg per day. However, coffee and tea drinkers may be able to counteract this negative effect by adding milk to their drinks. The consumption of cola drinks has also been shown to be associated with lower bone mineral density. While these studies were convincing, more evidence is needed to make a final decision on the role of caffeine and osteoporosis.
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The pregnancy. Coffee does not alter the physiological conditions of pregnancy. It is not dangerous for babies fed with breast milk. However, a fetus needs a lot of time to eliminate caffeine and pregnant mothers so much, it is recommended to reduce coffee intake.
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Antioxidant Coffee also contains an acid - chlorogenic acid - which is a potent, natural antioxidant and therefore postpones the fixation of atheroma plaques in the arteries and delays the development of cardiovascular diseases.
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