Caffeine Essay, Research Paper
Caffeine
/
Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the
world. It is an effective stimulant of the central
nervous system and in large amounts can produce
undesirable side effects such as: nervousness, insomnia,
rapid and irregular heartbeats, elevated blood sugar
and cholesterol levels, excess stomach acid, and
heartburn. Based on our incomplete knowledge of side
reactions to caffeine, prudent use seems desirable for
all consumers, male and female. The problem is
particularly significant for children because the
effects of caffeine are related to the body weight of
the consumer.
Coffee, tea, chocolate and many soft drinks
contain caffeine, and it is used to flavor certain
foods. It is also found in medications for staying
awake, dieting, treating colds, allergies, migraines and
muscle tension.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.
Its effects range from mild alertness to heightened
anxiety and body tension. Caffeine may not improve
performance of complex tasks; it may even interfere
with work. It shortens reaction time among some users,
but its impact on creativity and other intellectual
activities is hard to define.
Caffeine can be habit-forming. Some regular users
who give it up may experience withdrawal symptoms
twelve to sixteen hours after the last dose, such as:
drowsiness, headaches, lethargy, irritability, disinterest
in work, depression, occasional nausea and vomiting.
How caffeine affects you depends on what and
how much you drink. Strongly brewed coffee or tea
has much more caffeine than a weakly brewed drink.
Age and size make a difference too: A caffeinated soft
drink consumed by a child can have the same effect as
four cups of coffee for an adult. In moderate doses
(more than 200mg, depending on body weight and
physical condition) it can produce trembling,
nervousness, chronic muscle tension, irritability,
throbbing headaches, disorientation, sluggishness,
depression and insomnia – otherwise known as <
“Coffee nerves”
As with other drugs, how much and how often
caffeine is used can affect reactions. While it may keep
you awake for some tasks, caffeine (and oter
stimulants such as amphetamines or “speed”) will not
make up for declining performance caused by lack of
rest and exhaustion. You may stay awake for an “all-
nighter,” but your memory may be less efficient. In
addition, coffee nerves can cause behaviors that may
annoy others and add tension to interpersonal
interactions.
There are also a number of health risks that can
be linked to extensive use of caffeinated products due
to the affect of caffeine on the nerves and impulses
to the brain. Caffeine may affect coordination, sleep
paterns and behavior. Delayed sleep, frequent night
time awakenings, poor sleep quality or tension-
nervousness cycles may result from excessive caffeine
intake.
People with high blood pressure (hypertension)
should consult their physician before using caffeine.
Limited research links heavy coffee drinking with heart
attacks. Caffeine can produce heart rhythm problems,
a temporary rise of blood pressure and those subject
to irregular heartbeats should avoid caffeine.
Coffee and Smoking, although frequent, are a very
unhealthy combination. Because nicotine raises blood
pressure, cigarette smoking increases the risk of
cardiovascular complications for anyone with high
blood pressure. A typical smoker experiences at least
eight hours a day of nicotine-elevated blood pressure.
Caffeine can worsen this situation. In addition to
blood pressure problems, it can also increase stomach
acid production.
Caffeine has been a part of the typical daily diet
for thousands of years, and will continue to be
probably until the end of time. However it is clear that
excessive use of caffeine, as well as any other drug
can have extremely strong setbacks in a persons and
health and well being, but with moderate use it can
relieve migraines, tension and and other common
illnesses.
317