The Variety of Effects of Caffeine on Human Body

When talking about caffeine, one needs to realize that it is by far the most popular among other psychoactive substances. It is estimated that the humans consume as much as 120000 of caffeine each year. This figure shows that there are very few people, who do not consume caffeine, and this is why it is so important to understand its effects upon our physical and psychical state. In order to have a clearer understanding of the effects this substance has got on humans, it is very important to have at least a general picture of its action mechanisms. There are several mechanisms in which caffeine acts within a human body. But the major mechanism is counteracting to Adenosine in the brain. Adenosine is a sort of a protector, and what it mainly does is suppressing activity in the central nervous system. When a person consumes caffeine, it provokes more intense neurotransmission. Moreover, it involves acetylcholine, serotonin glutamate, cortisol and other, at larger doses including endorphins, which gives the explanation of analgesic effects, caused to some individuals by coffee and other products, containing caffeine.
As a rule caffeine is obtained as a product of decaffeination, though theoretically it can be synthesized in a chemical way from malonic acid and dimethyluria.
A regular human being receives caffeine by means of consuming traditional drinks like coffee and tea. Interestingly enough, tea, when considering a proportion in dry weight, contains far more caffeine, than coffee. However, we brew tea a lot weaker, therefore a standard helping of tea contains less caffeine than a standard helping of coffee. However, the contents of caffeine are stable neither for coffee beans, nor for tea leaves. Different coffee beans from the very same bush may contain substantially different doses of caffeine. After the beans are collected, the amount of caffeine in the final product will depend on numerous factors, such as the way of processing the beans, and the way of cooking coffee. The amount of caffeine is much smaller in instant coffee and almost none-existent in decaffeinated coffee (as little as about 5 MG per 100 ML of a ready drink, compared to about 60 MG per 100 ML of regular coffee). Arabica coffee contains much less caffeine than Robusta. When talking about tea, it is needful to know that despite common belief, it is not worthwhile judging by the color about the amount of caffeine contained in a cup of a ready drink. In real fact, much lighter by color sorts of tea may contain very heavy doses of caffeine and very dark sorts may contain very little.
People also receive caffeine by consuming chocolate, energetic drinks and caffeine tablets.
When talking about effects caffeine has got upon our health, we need to mention that it is a stimulant, which affects both nervous system and metabolic processes. Caffeine in different forms is applied both in everyday life and medically for achieving such results as increasing focus, achieving faster and smoother flow of thoughts, better coordination of the body. It is wrong to say that the effect caffeine has is the save for every person. In fact, it differs greatly depending on numerous factors. Among such factors one can mention weight of the body, tolerance to caffeine and others. The effects normally become visible within an hour after the consumption of caffeine containing products lasts for about five hours.
One of the most obvious effects caffeine is the effect of sleep. However, the effects it causes are not the same for all the people. Heavy consumption of caffeine containing products may lead to systematic insomnia, though on the other hand, caffeine has gotten a positive effect on sleep deprivation.
Scientists argue about the negative effects of caffeine during pregnancy, and though there are many specialists who believe such negative effects to be nearly non-existent even at large doses of daily caffeine consumption, there are some evidences proving that caffeine. Due to slow metabolic clearance caused by hormonal changes in the body, remains within the body for much longer time, and the effects, caused by it are also prolonged.
However, caffeine also has got definitely positive qualities for pregnant women. It is good for curing such disorders as apnea of prematurity. In general, it is not advised to consume caffeine during the pregnancy period; however, it is advisable to keep it within the limits of about 25 MG per day (an equivalent of about two standard cups of coffee).
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes four disorders caused by caffeine. They are caffeine-induced sleep disorder, caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified.
According to the researches, systematic and heavy caffeine consumption can lead to an addiction or physical dependence. Repetitive caffeine consumption, however, leads to developing tolerance for the majority of effects caused by caffeine. For some there are many heavy coffee-drinkers, who develop tolerance for the sleep disruptive effect of coffee, however there are those, who at the same conditions do not develop such tolerance.
There is much to be said about caffeine, but as a resume, one can keep in mind that there are numerous positive effects, caffeine has got upon an average human being, and however, one should not over consume this substance in any forms. Such overconsumption may lead to unfortunate results and in extreme cases even to death.
The essay was prepared by professional writer from Betty Bilton.