YOUR HEALTH AND CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee and cacao plants.

It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you to stay alert and preventing the onset of tiredness

Once consumed, caffeine is quickly absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream.

From there, it travels to the liver and is broken down into compounds that can affect the function of various organs.

That being said, caffeine's main effect is on the brain.

It functions by blocking the effects of adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain and makes you feel tired.

Normally, adenosine levels build up over the day, making you increasingly more tired and causing you to want to go to sleep.

Caffeine helps you stay awake by connecting to adenosine receptors in the brain without activating them. This blocks the effects of adenosine, leading to reduced tiredness.

Many of us rely on a morning cup of coffee or a jolt of caffeine in the afternoon to help us get through the day. Knowing the symptoms of caffeine and its long-term effects on your body may make you think twice about having it always.

ALERTNESS:  The stimulating effects of caffeine cause immediate alertness. It can also temporarily relieve drowsiness and fatigue.

RAPID HEARTBEAT: Caffeine can cause a rapid heartbeat. This may be a concern if you have a preexisting heart issue. You may notice arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) whenever you take it.

MUSCLE ACHES: Muscle ache could be a sign of caffeine withdrawal.

FERTILITY ISSUES: Some women who consume too much caffeine might experience difficulties getting pregnant. If you are trying to get pregnant, it’s best not to consume more than 300mg per day.

PREGNANCY ISSUES: Overconsumption of caffeine during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and developmental issues in newborns. It’s recommended that women who are pregnant consume not more than 200mg of caffeine per day.

JITTERS: If you are not used to caffeine, it can give you jitters. If you have an anxiety disorder or sleep disorder, caffeine may make it worse.

HIGH URINATION: Caffeine causes increased urination. Long-term use of caffeine may increase bladder instability and worsen the risk for those already experiencing bladder problems.

CAFFEINE IN BONES: Caffeine prevents calcium absorption in the bones, thereby increasing your risk of osteoporosis. As one gets older, your bones may break more easily.

NAUSEA AND VOMITTING: Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of having too much caffeine.

CONFUSION: Too much caffeine can over stimulate the brain, leading to confusion.

HEADACHES: Headache can occur from either too much caffeine or as a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. In small amounts, it can relieve symptoms of a hangover.

Caffeine provides no nutritional value on its own. It’s tasteless, so you won’t necessarily know if it’s in your food either. Even some medications may contain caffeine without your knowledge.

This ingredient almost always causes some symptoms. At a minimum, you may feel more energetic, but over time, too much caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms. As you consume the same amount of caffeine on a daily basis, your body develops a tolerance to it. Other factors like your age, body mass and overall health can determine your tolerance to caffeine, too.

An overdose of caffeine can result in death due to convulsions. Overdosing happens by consuming large amounts of caffeine, most often in energy drinks or diet pills. Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine is considered to be safe. This equals about 4 cups of coffee, although the amount of caffeine in beverages varies widely.