Caffeine Analysis

Good evening everyone.
I’d like to introduce my self first. My name is David Cho

* Caffeine is used to provide a "boost of energy" or a feeling of being more alert. It's often used to stay awake longer and many people feel as though they "cannot function" in the morning without a cup of coffee to provide caffeine and the boost it gives them.
9 in 10 Americans consume some form of caffeine regularly, making it the most popular behavior-altering drug.

* Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance. It is part of a group of chemical compounds called methylxanthines (meth-ul-zan-thines).
Caffeine is naturally found in the leaves, seeds, or fruits of a least 63plant species worldwide. The most common include tea leaves, coffee beans, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. These are used to make coffee, tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, chocolates, and medicines. Caffeine is classified as a drug because stimulates the central nervous system. Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it makes us feel more alert and awake after drinking or eating foods or beverages that contain it.

* Caffeine is not only found in beverages. Caffeine is naturally found in chocolate and now companies have created special caffeinated candies like breath mints and chewing gum. One pack of caffeinated gum contains 12 pieces of gum and the caffeine equivalent of 6 cups of coffee. Even the US military uses a caffeinated gum called “Stay Alert” for continuous military operations when soldiers are not able to sleep.

* Caffeine is absorbed in the stomach and intestine, and peak blood levels occur about 45 - 60 minutes after ingestion. Once in the blood stream, caffeine causes a number of responses in the body. Caffeine is well known for it's stimulant effects on the brain, but there are a number of other physiologic effects that occur. Blood pressure, pulse rate, and stomach acid production are increased, fat stores are broken down, and fatty acids are released into the blood stream. These effects can last from a few hours to as long as 12.

* Too high intake of caffeine can create some serious problems. Caffeine stimulates brain activity and can cause insomnia (sleeplessness) and restlessness. Heavy intake of caffeine, more than 500 mg a day, may cause an increased heart rate and blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms.
Some people feel jittery, anxious, nervous, or irritable from too much caffeine.

* Body mass influences a person’s sensitivity to caffeine. A person with a smaller body mass will feel the effects of caffeine sooner than those with larger body masses.
People who don’t regularly consume caffeine tend to be more susceptible to its negative effects than are people who do.
All types of stress can increase a person’s sensitivity to caffeine.
Age, smoking habits, drug or hormone use, and health conditions like anxiety disorders may influence caffeine sensitivity.

* A person who consumes caffeine on a daily basis will experience withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopping caffeine intake. These symptoms might include headache, tiredness, mood swings, a jittery feeling, and difficulty concentrating.

* There are a few things you can do to limit these withdrawal symptoms. Try to taper your caffeine consumption. For instance, if you normally have 3 cans of soda a day, switch to two for a few days, then switch to one. Then don’t have a can everyday or try a soda that is caffeine free. Another way to decrease the effects of caffeine withdrawal is to keep your blood sugar level and energy up by eating small, frequent meals. Be sure to exercise daily and get enough sleep too!

* Depending on its strength, coffee can contain between 134 and 240 mg of caffeine per cup. The stronger the cup of coffee, the more caffeine it likely contains.
The caffeine content in one cup (8 ounces) of an energy drink can range from 72 to 150 mg. However, some energy drinks are bottled with 2-3 servings, raising the caffeine content as high as 294 mg of caffeine per bottle.

* Caffeine is one of the most studies ingredients in the food supply because it is so widely consumed. The Food and Drug Administration and medical researchers have conducted extensive research and have carefully reviewed caffeine's safety, even since caffeine was placed on the U.S. FDA's Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list in 1958. Countless studies have been conducted to examine caffeine’s effect on blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), pregnancy, osteoporosis, cancer, and hydration. No substantial evidence was found linking the incidence of these health issues with caffeine consumption. There may be a temporary rise on blood pressure due to caffeine consumption but typically only lasts as long as the effects of caffeine - a few hours.

* The average child between 5 and 18 years old in the United States consumes about 35 – 40 milligrams of caffeine a day. The majority of caffeine intake by teenagers and young adults comes from cola and iced tea drinks.

* Everything should be used in small amounts even this cool medicine “caffeine” which we drink everyday. We have to care for ourselves health. For our health, we have to care about all the things that what we eat, or what we take. Let’s try to make good addiction in our life and lets have a perfect body rhythm with caffeine. Thank you.