Science project

Benifits of caffeine

Boost Brain Health When people consumed 200 mg of caffeine after studying images, their memories were enhanced for up to 24 hours later, giving credence to the idea that caffeine can shore up long-term memory, according to a study published in January 2014 in the journal Nature Neuroscience. (20) Safeguard Your Heart In a study that looked at 185,855 people ages 45 to 75 — including African-Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese-Americans, Latinos, and whites — coffee drinkers who sipped two to three cups a day saw their risk of death due to conditions like heart disease and stroke drop by 18 percent compared with non-java drinkers, noted a study published in August 2017 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. (21) Help You in the Gym When caffeine breaks down, it turns into a few compounds that affect blood flow, fat burning, and oxygen capacity, notes the American Council on Exercise (ACE). (22) You may find that drinking a small cup before going to the gym (especially in the morning) can make you feel more energetic and ready to tackle the exercise challenge. In fact, ACE cites research showing that a small, 6- to 8-oz cup of a caffeinated beverage may be beneficial. Protect Against Cancer A review published in November 2017 in the journal BMJ looked at 201 meta-analyses and found that drinking coffee was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of cancer. The authors recommend sticking to three to four cups of coffee a day. Specifically, they found that coffee can decrease the odds of prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and liver cancer. Why? Coffee is rich in disease-fighting and anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and caffeine also has antioxidant properties. (23) Prevent Diabetes If you drink coffee here and there, you may consider boosting your brew. In a study published in April 2014 in the journal Diabetologia, men and women who increased their coffee consumption by 1.5 cups a day benefited from a 11 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes over a four-year period compared with those who didn't start sipping more. On the other hand, those who dropped two cups a day had a 17 percent higher risk of the disease. While that sounds promising, senior author Frank Hu noted that other lifestyle measures are likely more important than coffee (or caffeine) alone. "But coffee is only one of many factors that influence diabetes risk. More importantly, individuals should watch their weight and be physically active," he said in a press release. (24) Delay Dementia While research isn't conclusive that coffee or caffeine may prevent Alzheimer's, it may help prevent those suffering from mild cognitive impairment from progressing to dementia, suggests a study published in 2012 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. (25) Those who developed dementia had 51 percent lower caffeine levels in their blood compared with those with MCI whose disease didn't advance. Caffeine may interact with a component in coffee to increase levels of a growth factor that stymies Alzheimer's progression, the authors note in a press release. Three cups of coffee is the ideal amount, they said. (26) Stave Off Depression In one study, over 50,000 women who didn't have depressive symptoms were followed for 10 years. Those who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had a 15 percent lower likelihood of suffering from depression compared with those who had less than a cup per week. The stimulant effect of caffeine may boost your sense of well-being and energy, the authors note. It may also play a role in releasing happy chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin. (19)

Harmful effects

Caffeine and miscarriage risk: In a recent study, both men and women who consumed at least two caffeinated beverages a day during the weeks prior to conception slightly increased the risks of a miscarriage. Src. Caffeine may not be healthy for type 2 diabetics. A study conducted by the American Diabetes Association showed that caffeine impaired glucose metabolism in those with type 2 diabetes. Src. Caffeine overdose. While overdose is rare, it can lead to many adverse symptoms including death, especially in those with underlying medical conditions. Some have a lower tolerance for caffeine than others. Src. Caffeine allergies. Some people have over-sensitivity to the caffeine molecule, which causes allergic-like reactions in the body such as hives and pain. Although not a true allergy, many report very negative symptoms after consuming even the smallest amounts. Src. Caffeine causes more forceful heart contractions. A recent study showed that immediately after energy drink consumption the heart produced more forceful contractions. It is unclear if this has any long-term health implications except for those with known health conditions. Src.

harmful effects

Caffeine could cause incontinence. A study out of the University of Alabama showed that women who consume a lot of caffeine are 70% more likely to develop incontinence. Src. Caffeine may cause insomnia. Caffeine in a person's system at bedtime can mimic the symptoms of insomnia. Src. Caffeine can cause indigestion. People who consume caffeinated beverages often report an upset stomach or indigestion. This mainly occurs when the beverages are consumed on an empty stomach. Src. Caffeine can cause headaches. While occasional doses of caffeine can relieve headache symptoms, the overuse of caffeine can cause headaches and lead to migraines. Src. Caffeine could reduce fertility in women. A study from The University of Nevada School of Medicine showed that caffeine can reduce a woman's chances of becoming pregnant by about 27%. Src.

side effects and safety

Caffeine is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used appropriately. Caffeine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long time or in fairly high doses. Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiration, and other side effects. Caffeine can make sleep disorders in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) worse. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, agitation, chest pain, and ringing in the ears. Caffeine is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in very high doses as it can cause irregular heartbeats and even death. Products with very concentrated or pure caffeine have a high risk of being used in doses that are too high. Avoid using these products

Special precautions and warnings

Children: Caffeine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth or intravenously (by IV), as well as when used in amounts commonly found in foods and beverages. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Caffeine is POSSIBLY SAFE in pregnant or breast-feeding women when used daily amounts of less than 200 mg. This is about the amount in 1-2 cups of coffee. Consuming larger amounts during pregnancy or when breast-feeding is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. When consumed in larger amounts during pregnancy, caffeine might increase the chance of miscarriage and other problems. Also, caffeine can pass into breast milk, so nursing mothers should closely monitor caffeine intake to make sure it is on the low side. High intake of caffeine by nursing mothers can cause sleep disturbances, irritability, and increased bowel activity in breast-fed infants. Anxiety disorders: Caffeine might make these conditions worse. Use with care. Bipolar disorder: Too much caffeine might make this condition worse. In one case, a 36-year-old man with controlled bipolar disorder was hospitalized with symptoms of mania after drinking several cans of an energy drink containing caffeine, taurine, inositol, and other ingredients (Red Bull Energy Drink) over a period of 4 days. Use caffeine with care and in low amounts if you have bipolar disorder. Bleeding disorders: There is concern that caffeine might aggravate bleeding disorders. Use caffeine with care if you have a bleeding disorder. Heart conditions: Caffeine can cause irregular heartbeat in sensitive people. Use caffeine with caution. Diabetes: Some research suggests that caffeine may affect the way the body uses sugar and might worsen diabetes. However, the effect of caffeinated beverages and supplements has not been studied. If you have diabetes, use caffeine with caution. Diarrhea: Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea. Epilepsy: People with epilepsy should avoid using caffeine in high doses. Low doses of caffeine should be used cautiously. Glaucoma: Caffeine increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes after drinking caffeinated beverages. High blood pressure: Consuming caffeine might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect might be less in people who use caffeine regularly. Loss of bladder control. Caffeine can make bladder control worse by increasing frequency of urination and the urge to urinate. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Caffeine, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS. Weak bones (osteoporosis): Caffeine can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. If you have osteoporosis or low bone density, caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg per day (approximately 2-3 cups of coffee). It is also a good idea to get extra calcium to make up for the amount that may be lost in the urine. Older women with an inherited disorder that affects the way vitamin D is used should use caffeine with caution. Vitamin D works with calcium to build bones. Parkinson's disease: Taking caffeine with creatine might make Parkinson's disease get worse faster. If you have Parkinson's disease and take creatine, use caffeine with caution. Schizophrenia: Caffeine might worsens symptoms of schiziphrenia.

interactions

Ephedrine interacts with CAFFEINE Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. Caffeine and ephedrine are both stimulant drugs. Taking caffeine along with ephedrine might cause too much stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. Do not take caffeine-containing products and ephedrine at the same time. Adenosine (Adenocard) interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine might block the effects of adenosine (Adenocard). Adenosine (Adenocard) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test. Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Some antibiotics might decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics along with caffeine can increase the risk of side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heart rate, and other side effects.<br/><br/> Some antibiotics that decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar). Cimetidine (Tagamet) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can decrease how quickly your body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine (Tagamet) along with caffeine might increase the chance of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and others. Clozapine (Clozaril) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril) to get rid of it. Caffeine seems to decrease how quickly the body breaks down clozapine (Clozaril). Taking caffeine along with clozapine (Clozaril) can increase the effects and side effects of clozapine (Clozaril). Dipyridamole (Persantine) interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine might block the affects of dipyridamole (Persantine). Dipyridamole (Persantine) is often used by doctors to do a test on the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. Stop consuming caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before a cardiac stress test. Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Disulfiram (Antabuse) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with disulfiram (Antabuse) might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine including jitteriness, hyperactivity, irritability, and others. Estrogens interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Estrogens can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with estrogens might cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects. If you take estrogens limit your caffeine intake.<br/><br/> Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluvoxamine (Luvox) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluvoxamine (Luvox) might cause too much caffeine in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of caffeine. Lithium interacts with CAFFEINE You body naturally gets rid of lithium. Caffeine can increase how quickly your body gets rid of lithium. If you take products that contain caffeine and you take lithium, stop taking caffeine products slowly. Stopping caffeine too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium. Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine can stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine along with some medications for depression might cause serious side effects including fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness, and others.<br/><br/> Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others. Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine might slow blood clotting. Taking caffeine along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.<br/><br/> Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others. Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with CAFFEINE The stimulant effects of caffeine can block the sleep-producing effects of pentobarbital. Phenylpropanolamine interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. Taking caffeine along with phenylpropanolamine might cause too much stimulation and increase heartbeat, blood pressure, and cause nervousness. Riluzole (Rilutek) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) to get rid of it. Taking caffeine along with riluzole (Rilutek) might decrease how fast the body breaks down riluzole (Rilutek) and increase the effects and side effects of riluzole (Rilutek). Stimulant drugs interacts with CAFFEINE Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heart rate. Caffeine might also speed up the nervous system. Taking caffeine along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with caffeine.<br/><br/> Some stimulant drugs include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others. Theophylline interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine works similarly to theophylline. Caffeine can also decrease how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking theophylline along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can increase the risk of side effects for caffeine including jitteriness, headache, and an increased heartbeat. Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination ! Alcohol interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with alcohol might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat. Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking caffeine along with birth control pills can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.<br/><br/> Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others. Fluconazole (Diflucan) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Fluconazole (Diflucan) might decrease how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with fluconazole (Diflucan) might cause caffeine to stay in to body too long and increase the risk of side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CAFFEINE Caffeine might increase blood sugar. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. Taking some medications for diabetes along with caffeine might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.<br/><br/> Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others. Mexiletine (Mexitil) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Mexiletine (Mexitil) can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking Mexiletine (Mexitil) along with caffeine might increase the effects and side effects of caffeine. Terbinafine (Lamisil) interacts with CAFFEINE The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Terbinafine (Lamisil) can decrease how fast the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking caffeine along with terbinafine (Lamisil) can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, increased heartbeat, and other effects.

Uses

Migraine headache. Taking caffeine by mouth together with painkillers such aspirin and acetaminophen is effective for treating migraines. Caffeine is an FDA-approved product for use with painkillers for treating migraine headaches. Headache following surgery. Using caffeine by mouth or intravenously (by IV) is effective for preventing headaches following surgery. Caffeine is an FDA-approved product for this use in people who regularly consume products that contain caffeine. Tension headache. Taking caffeine by mouth in combination with painkillers is effective for treating tension headaches. Likely Effective for Mental alertness. Research suggests that drinking caffeinated beverages throughout the day keeps the mind alert. Combining caffeine with glucose as an "energy drink" seems to improve mental performance better than either caffeine or glucose alone. Possibly Effective for Asthma. Caffeine appears to improve airway function for up to 4 hours in people with asthma. Athletic performance. Taking caffeine seems to increase physical strength and endurance and might delay exhaustion. It might also reduce feelings of exertion and improve performance during activities such as cycling, running, playing soccer, and golfing. However, caffeine does not seem to improve performance during short-term, high-intensity exercise such as sprinting and lifting. Also, taking caffeine daily for up to 4 weeks might also lead to tolerance. This might decrease or eliminate any performance enhancing effects of caffeine. Diabetes. Drinking beverages that contain caffeine is linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It appears that the more caffeine that is consumed, the lower the risk. Although caffeine might help prevent type 2 diabetes, it might not be effective in treating type 2 diabetes. Research on the effects of caffeine in people with type 1 diabetes is inconsistent. Some research shows benefit, while other research does not. Gallbladder disease. Drinking beverages that provide at least 400 mg of caffeine daily seems to reduce the risk of developing gallstone disease. The effect seems to be dose-dependent. Taking 800 mg of caffeine daily seems to work best. Hepatitis C. Research has found that higher intake of caffeine from coffee is linked with reduced liver scarring in people with hepatitis C. Low blood pressure after eating. Drinking caffeinated beverages seems to increase blood pressure in older people with low blood pressure after eating. Memory. Taking 200 mg of caffeine by mouth daily seems to improve memory in some people with outgoing personalities and college students. Breathing problems in infants. Caffeine given by mouth or intravenously (by IV) appears to improve breathing in infants born too early. It seems to reduce the number of episodes of shortness of breath by at least 50% over 7-10 days of treatment. However, caffeine does not seem to reduce the risk of premature infants developing breathing problems. Pain. Research suggests that taking caffeine together with painkillers can reduce pain. Parkinson's disease. Some research suggests that people who drink caffeinated beverages have a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease. However, this reduced risk is not observed in people who smoke cigarettes. Headache after epidural anesthesia. Taking caffeine by mouth or intravenously seems to help prevent headache after epidural anesthesia. Weight loss. Taking caffeine in combination with ephedrine seems to help reduce weight, short-term. Taking 192 mg of caffeine in combination with 90 mg of ephedra daily for 6 months seems to cause a modest weight reduction (5.3 kg or 11.66 pounds) in overweight people. This combination, along with limiting fat intake to 30 percent of calories and moderate exercise, also seems to reduce body fat, decrease "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and increase "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. However, there can be unwanted side effects. Even in carefully screened and monitored otherwise healthy adults, caffeine/ephedra combinations can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Possibly Ineffective for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most research suggests that caffeine does not reduce ADHD symptoms in children. The use of caffeine in adolescents and adults with ADHD has not been studied.

harmful effects

More than 4 cups of coffee linked to early death. A Mayo Clinic partnered study found that men who drank more than four 8 fl.oz. cups of coffee had a 21% increase in all-cause mortality. However, those that reported that they consumed excessive amounts of caffeine were also likely to smoke and have poor fitness. Dr. Nancy Snyderman from NBC said there were a few discrepancies with the study, but stresses that moderation is still key. See Her Interview Here. Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure. Especially in those already suffering from hypertension and those who don't normally consume caffeine. People with hypertension were given 250 mg of caffeine (about 2 coffees) and the data revealed that their blood pressure was elevated for about 2-3 hours after the caffeine. Src. A second study performed by The Mayo Clinic found similar results from a 160 mg dose. All participants experienced a marked rise in blood pressure and it was the most pronounced in those that didn't normally consume caffeine. Src. Increased risk of heart attacks among young adults. A study conducted by Dr. Lucio Mos found that young adults who were diagnosed with mild hypertension had 4 times the risk of having a heart attack if they consumed the amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 cups of coffee. More moderate consumption showed 3 times the risk. Src. Caffeine linked to gout attacks. This study showed that people who binge on caffeinated beverages increase their risk for a gout flare-up. Src. Breast tissue cysts in women. One study showed that "Women who consumed 31-250 mg of caffeine/day had a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of developing fibrocystic breast disease and women who drank over 500 mg/day had a 2.3-fold increase in the odds of developing cysts. Src.

Levels of Caffine in coffee

Standard brewed 8-ounce (oz) cup of coffee: 95 mg caffeine (4) Standard instant 8-oz cup of coffee: 62 mg caffeine (5) Starbucks blonde roast, 8 oz (short): 180 mg caffeine (6) Starbucks blonde roast, 16 oz (grande): 360 mg caffeine (6) Starbucks iced coffee, 16 oz (grande): 190 mg caffeine (7) Coffee brewed from Keurig, 8-oz cup: between 75 and 150 mg caffeine, depending in part on roasting strength (8)

Where can Caffine be found

Tea: While most herbal teas (like chamomile) are caffeine-free, others contain varying amounts. (10) For instance, green contains 25 to 29 mg per cup, while black racks up more, with 25 to 48 mg per cup. (11) Decaf: Decaf coffees and teas will have minimal amounts of caffeine, about 2 to 5 mg. (11) Chocolate Cocoa: naturally contains caffeine. One oz of dark chocolate offers 12 mg. (12) Chocolate Ice Cream: This treat also has minimal amounts of caffeine, about 4 mg per 1-cup serving. (13) Energy Drinks: A 8.4-oz can of Red Bull contains 80 mg, while a 16-oz can of Monster contains 160 mg. (14,15) Cola: One 16-oz can has 44 mg. (16) Caffeinated Water: In this instance, caffeine is added to the mix. One variety, the apple-pear flavor by Hint, contains 60 mg of caffeine per 16-oz bottle. (17) Migraine Medication: Some over-the-counter migraine drugs contain a combo of pain relievers acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (65 mg per tablet). That said, too much caffeine can actually cause headaches, so watch the amount you consume from other sources. (18)

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research: BY MOUTH: ADVERTISEMENT For headache or improving mental alertness: 250 mg per day. For tiredness: 150-600 mg. For improving athletic performance: 2-10 mg/kg or more has been used. However, doses in excess of 800 mg per day can result in urine levels greater than the 15 mcg/mL allowed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. For weight loss: the ephedrine/caffeine combination products are commonly dosed 20 mg/200 mg three times per day. For headache after epidural anesthesia: 300 mg. For preventing gallstone disease: intake of 400 mg or more of caffeine per day. For preventing Parkinson's disease: men drinking 421-2716 mg of total caffeine daily have the lowest risk of developing Parkinson's disease, when compared to other men. However, men who drink as little as 124-208 mg of caffeine daily also have a significantly lower chance of developing Parkinson's disease. In women, moderate caffeine intake per day (1-3 cups of coffee per day) seems to be best. One cup of brewed coffee provides from 95-200 mg of caffeine. An 8-ounce serving of black tea provides from 40-120 mg of caffeine. An 8-ounce serving of green tea provides 15-60 mg of caffeine. Soft drinks such as cola provide from 20-80 mg of caffeine per 12 ounce serving. Sports or energy drinks typically provide from 48-300 mg of caffeine per serving. INTRAVENOUS: Caffeine is given intravenously (by IV) by healthcare providers for breathing problems in infants and for headache after epidural anesthesia.