Caffeine can be found in many common food and beverages we
consume daily. It is both beneficial and detrimental to overall wellness.
Health Briefs TV examines the pros and cons of caffeine.
Caffeine is a bitter tasting drug that is commonly found in
the coffee bean, cacao plant, and tea leaf. It’s odorless. Scientists believe
some plants developed it as a defense mechanism from being eaten. In today’s
highly charged world, caffeine can give us the energy boost we need to get
started for the day. We take our caffeine is different forms: coffee, tea,
cocoa and in beauty care products.
Caffeine enters the blood stream through the stomach and
small intestine and can take effect in 15 minutes. It blocks the brain chemical
adenosine which is aligned with sleep. It releases adrenaline which can cause
muscle tightening and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. How much is
too much?
The FDA notes that four to five cups of coffee per day is healthy
for adults. A total of 400 milligrams of caffeine, if not a coffee
drinker, is the recommended amount for adults. Children and teens are encouraged
to avoid it altogether. A study by a respected medical journal notes that caffeine
consumption can lower the rates of depression in women. Caffeine has also been
shown to enhance long-term memory, and can lower the risk of malignant melanoma
by 20 percent for some people.
Too much caffeinated food, beverages and nutritional
supplements can cause jitteriness, dizziness, heart palpitations, and other
medical issues. Health Briefs TV also notes that for some people, addiction is
possible. The human body gets used to having caffeine in it, and more is needed
to get its perks. We can also become addicted to caffeine. Imagine what the
morning would be like if we did not have a few cups of coffee to get us going.
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