We hear many things these days about caffeine – often conflicting reports — use it because of the benefits — don’t use it because of the negative impact it has on us. What do you think? How is your caffeine consumption? How much is too much? Do you consume caffeine through coffee, tea, chocolate, soda? In this blog, I will give you a few tips about the perks of caffeine as well as the negatives. If you love your coffee, tea, soda, etc. read on to learn some of these tips.
The Pros of Caffeine
Alertness
Even in relatively low doses of 250 mg., caffeine has been shown to stimulate alertness and improve mental performance.
Mood
At 250 mg., some people report an improved sense of well-being, happiness, energy, alertness and sociability.
Concentration
Studies suggest that caffeine can help you perform a variety of cognitive tasks, such as recognizing visual patterns, more quickly.
Performance
Some sources note that caffeine allows athletes to exercise for longer durations without hitting exhaustion. Although the mechanism is not yet known, caffeine affects the utilization of glycogen during workouts (the main fuel for muscles). Once glycogen depleted, exhaustion occurs. Caffeine decreases the use of glycogen stores during workouts up to 50%, which allows for longer workouts.
Reduced Muscle Pain
Some researchers have found that caffeine may potentially stimulate the release of B-endorphins and hormones that depress the sensation of pain or discomfort.
Faster Effects of Medication
Caffeine constricts blood vessels and helps the body absorb medications more quickly, which is why it is added to some pain medications. (This often happens with migrate-related medications which are taken for pain-relief.)
Diabetes Prevention
Coffee contains minerals and antioxidants which help prevent diabetes. Frank Hu, M.D., one of the authors of The Harvard Study, theorizes it may be because caffeine stimulates muscles to burn fat and sugar more efficiently.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants in caffeine help to stabilize free radicals and stop them from doing damage. If a free radical is formed in a cell and it is not neutralized, it can damage the DNA of the cell.
Disease Prevention
Caffeine keeps dopamine molecules active, preventing diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Harvard researchers have found that men who drink four cups of caffeinated coffee a day are half as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as those who refrain from consuming caffeinated beverages.
Asthma Relief
Drinking a moderate amount of caffeine can be therapeutic for people with asthma. Caffeine, in the form of coffee, may be used to prevent an asthma attack in emergency cases, but is not intended to replace medication.
Cons of Caffeine
Cardiovascular Problems
Approximately 4 cups of coffee or a beverage with equivalent amounts of caffeine can raise blood pressure for many hours. The measured blood pressure levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Stress
Caffeine consumption in the early morning affects the body until bedtime, amplifying stress levels throughout the day. Caffeine increases stress hormones and elevates one’s perception of stress. Decreasing coffee and caffeinated beverages will help to lower often exaggerated stress-reactions.
Emotional Disturbances
When more than 2g. of caffeine enters the body, the heart becomes stimulated and blood vessels dilate. Shortly after, blood pressure increases, causing bronchial relaxation in the lungs and increased breathing. These physiological reactions tend to cause irritability, restlessness, insomnia, and agitation.
Blood Sugar Swings
Type 2 diabetics should be aware that caffeine may potentially impair insulin’s action, causing a detectable rise in blood sugar levels. Approximately 2 to 2 ½ cups per day may cause this effect.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Because it is a stimulant, caffeine can cause increased contractions of stomach muscles – possibly causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and increased bowel movements. Those who have irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, or colitis may want to be extra cautious before choosing caffeinated beverages.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Caffeine inhibits the absorption of some nutrients and causes the urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and trace minerals.
Male Health Problems
Research shows that men can significantly reduce their risk for urinary and prostate problems by making dietary changes, which include eliminating coffee and caffeine.
Female Health Problems
Fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight and menopausal problems, such as hot flashes, are all exacerbated by caffeine consumption. Women on birth control pills are particularly at risk since they tend to have a decreased ability to detoxify caffeine.
Aging
Caffeine tolerance may decrease with age. Production of DHEA, melatonin and other vital hormones decline with age. Caffeine helps to speed up this process. Caffeine also dehydrates the body, contributes to aging of the skin and kidneys, inhibits DNA repair and slows the ability of the liver to detoxify foreign toxins.
Adrenal Exhaustion
Caffeine is a stimulant which binds to adenosine receptors in the brain. This leads to a range of complex reactions which causes an increase of stimulation at the adrenal glands. This can increase vulnerability to a variety of health disorders related to inflammation and fatigue.
I hope that has given you some insight into caffeine use, and from that you can make an informed decision on how you would like to change your caffeine consumption. If you have any concerns at all, you should seek help from your doctor.
Stay Healthy and Blessed,
Lynne Wadsworth, Certified Health Coach
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