HESC 350 - Caffeine

False Statements about Caffeine

- Can lead to high blood pressure - Increases your risk for heart disease - Increases your risk for cancer

Concerns

- Consumption in adolescents associated with increased blood pressure - 2009 - FDA attributed over 13,000 emergency room visits with energy drink consumption - 2012 - FDA associated 17 deaths with consumption of 5-hr energy drink - Also reported adverse events w/ red bull - Energy drinks affect heart, MRI scans show

Is caffeine addictive?

- Mildly addicitve 3 or more must be met in order for a substance to be considered addictive: - Tolerance = does your body need more over time to satisfy its craving? - Withdrawal = if you don't consume it, does your body act differently? do you then take it to relieve those symptoms? - Impaired control = continue use even you though you don't want it - Disinterest = person neglects activities because of substance use - Time = person spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance - Impaired ability = may disrupt work, school, or home life - Problems = continued use despite negative health effects - mildly affects the "reward centers" in our brain

Caffeinism

- aka "coffee nerves" - too much caffeine Symptoms: - Difficulty falling asleep or trying asleep that goes on for weeks, months (chronic insomnia) - Irritability - Anxiety - Muscle twitches - Headaches

Caffeine

- one of the most frequently ingested substances in world - Enjoyed globally in many culture - 90% of Americans consume in regular basis Comes in many forms: - Sodas - Coffee beans - Tea leaves - Chocolate - Over-the-counter pills - Energy drinks - Most adults get caffeine from tea and coffee - Children get it from sodas and chocolates (FDA guidelines state that sodas must contain <71 mg of caffeine)

Energy drinks

-Refers to beverages that contain caffeine in combination with other ingredients such as taurine, guarana, and B vitamins, and that claims to provide its consumers with extra energy - However, this term was created by the beverage industry and is not recognized by the USDA or FDA Do provide energy - Not known wether any potential increase in energy due to the caffeine, other herbal ingredients, or as a result of the combination of the ingredients - Limited research that consumption of energy drinks can significantly improve physical and mental performance, driving ability when tired, and decrease mental fatigue during long periods of concentration

How much should you ingest before exercise?

2 to 3 mg caffeine/kg body weight 1 hour before exercise Ex. a person weighs 115 lbs - convert lbs to kg = 115 lbs/2.2 kg = 52.3kg - 52.3 kg x 2mg/kg = 104.5 mg caffeine - 52.3 kg x 3 mg/ge = 153 mg caffeine

Energy drinks + Alcohol

= BAD MIX! - Combining may lead to feeling alert and sober, even when you're really drunk - Increases risk of liver failure - Also will increase risk of dehydration

Caffeine effect on your body

Blocks adenosine - Hormone involved with sleep Brain thinks there's an emergency, causing "fight or flight" (stress) response - This is why many believe caffeine led to cardiovascular disease - However this mild stress response is not harmful and does not increase risk for disease Adults should not exceed 300 mg per day - If underlying health problem, this # may change - Those with ulcers (stomach or intestinal) may want to abstain - If pregnant, consult physician

Parkinson's Disease

Brain's cells no longer produce dopamine - No known cause - Usually symptoms begin at around age 60 lack of dopamine can lead to dementia, depression, tremors, muscle rigidity, slow movements, loss of all physical movement

Words of caution

Don't get all your caffeine from soda - Leads to cavities - Damages stomach lining - Osteoporosis - Lots of calories and sugar

Why not just give then dopamine?

Dopamine does not cross the "blood-brain barrier" - Tightly packed group of cells that blocks most chemicals, hormones, etc from passing into the brain tissue To get around the blood-brain barrier, doctors inject the patient with "L-dopa" - Can cross the blood-brain and helps brain make more dopamine - However, this has many side effects - Only works for 4 to 6 years

Health benefits of Caffeine

Improves athletic performance in endurance athletes - NCAA does not allow for more than 5 cups of coffee before a competition Fat burner - caffeine makes fat cells release fat - However, once release from the cells, the body may not choose to use the fat for fuel - Endurance athletes tend to achieve actual losses in fat storage Biggest effect - it makes the exercise feel easier by affecting the central nervous system - Now, the individual can work out harder and longer May protect against: - Type 2 diabetes - Colon cancer - Parkinson's disease

If you do choose to use

Limit to no more than: - 2 can of red bull per day or - 1 bottle of 5-hr Energy or - 1 bottle of Monster Energy M-3 *** if you use these, avoid other caffeinated products or stimulants