Case study - caffeine in the body
12). Caffeine acts in the body by getting absorbed in the body through the cells relatively fast, after which it is expelled through the liver. The effects are that caffeine being a stimulant in the body, a short while after consumption with an increase in wakefulness. When taken in large amounts, it causes physical effects like irritability, insomnia and even restlessness.
13) + 14) Caffeine passes through the body membranes from the first sip, entering your blood stream through the lining of your mouth, throat, and stomach. It only takes 45 minutes for 99% of the caffeine to be absorbed through these membranes. As soon as the caffeine enters the body it is already being metabolized by the liver and broken down into theophylline, theobromine and paraxanthine. From there these chemicals travel throughout the body where they affect various body functions. The most studied of these is the way caffeine is similar to the molecule adenosine in the brain. The caffeine molecules bind to the adenosine receptors in brain cells and block adenosine from binding. This causes elevated levels of adenosine in the blood which is believed to cause feelings of alertness and energy. The compounds also interact with the dopamine system in the brain which influences mood and prevents dopamine’s calming effect. Theophylline relaxes smooth muscles, which has been beneficial to those with asthma and is the reason why after drinking caffeine a person often feels the need to use the bathroom as it is affecting the smooth muscle of the colon. Theobromine increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can be used by the brain and muscles. The caffeine metabolites are then filtered by the kidneys and they exit the body with the urine. Caffeine has been shown to have a diuretic effect on the body, which basically causes the body to release more water in the urine. However, new research suggests that this is only in people who have not built up tolerance to the caffeine molecule.
15).
13) + 14) Caffeine passes through the body membranes from the first sip, entering your blood stream through the lining of your mouth, throat, and stomach. It only takes 45 minutes for 99% of the caffeine to be absorbed through these membranes. As soon as the caffeine enters the body it is already being metabolized by the liver and broken down into theophylline, theobromine and paraxanthine. From there these chemicals travel throughout the body where they affect various body functions. The most studied of these is the way caffeine is similar to the molecule adenosine in the brain. The caffeine molecules bind to the adenosine receptors in brain cells and block adenosine from binding. This causes elevated levels of adenosine in the blood which is believed to cause feelings of alertness and energy. The compounds also interact with the dopamine system in the brain which influences mood and prevents dopamine’s calming effect. Theophylline relaxes smooth muscles, which has been beneficial to those with asthma and is the reason why after drinking caffeine a person often feels the need to use the bathroom as it is affecting the smooth muscle of the colon. Theobromine increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can be used by the brain and muscles. The caffeine metabolites are then filtered by the kidneys and they exit the body with the urine. Caffeine has been shown to have a diuretic effect on the body, which basically causes the body to release more water in the urine. However, new research suggests that this is only in people who have not built up tolerance to the caffeine molecule.
15).