Health:CAFFEINE

FAST FACTS ON CAFFEINE

What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a naturally occurring, flavorless chemical that acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, and as a diuretic. Caffeine can also be synthetically produced.

In what foods is it found?
It appears naturally in coffee, tea and cocoa beans, and is added in small amounts to colas to enhance their flavor. It is also added to appetite suppressants, cold medicines and pain relievers.

Is it something my body needs to function properly?
No. In fact, some dietitians say children should consume as little as possible because it does act as an appetite suppressant, and may dull their appetite for foods they need to grow.

Pregnant women are often advised to avoid caffeine as well. However, there is no health risk associated with moderate caffeine consumption. (Three 8-ounce cups of coffee a day is moderate. Ten cups of coffee is considered excessive.)

Excessive caffeine intake can lead to an increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, dehydration, anxiety, depression, difficulty in sleeping, and tremors.

Is it really possible to be addicted to caffeine?
You bet. People who try to quit consuming caffeine are likely to experience headaches, irritability, nausea and other symptoms. Doctors say that if you want to you reduce the amount of caffeine you consume everyday, slow down gradually to avoid these withdrawal symptoms.

See CNN Food for some foods high in caffeine

CAFFEINE and HEALTH (from Health Canada)
It is difficult to link precise intake levels of caffeine to specific health effects because tolerance to caffeine differs widely from person to person. For healthy adults, a small amount of caffeine may have positive effects, such as increased alertness or ability to concentrate. However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine. For them, a small amount could cause insomnia, headaches, irritability and nervousness.

There have been many studies over the years dealing with caffeine and human health. These studies have looked at the potential adverse effects of caffeine in such areas as:

- general toxicity (e.g., muscle tremors, nausea, irritability);
- cardiovascular effects (e.g., heart rate, cholesterol, blood pressure);
- effects on calcium balance and bone health (e.g., bone density, risk of fractures);
- behavioral effects in both adults and children (e.g., anxiety, mood changes, attentiveness);
- potential links to cancer; and
- effects on reproduction (e.g., male and female fertility, birth weight)

More benefits / risks of coffee drinking on health in this post