A Good Ole Cup of Joe- Caffeine and its Effects

A Good Ole Cup of Joe- Caffeine and its Effects

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

Millions of individuals living across the globe begin their morning with a cup of coffee.  Trimethylxanthine, commonly referred to as caffeine, can be found in coffee, tea, cola, and even chocolate (1). Caffeine helps to stimulate the central nervous system and as a result, an individual will have increased mental alertness, reduced fatigue, and improved memory after consumption (1). However, an individual must be aware that there are potential side effects if one consumes too much caffeine. With that being said, the LD50 of caffeine is 127mg/kg, so an individual would have to consume a ridiculous amount of caffeine to overdose and cause death (3). Individuals who are sensitive to caffeine may experience adverse health effects which may include: insomnia, nervousness, nausea, anxiety, increased heart rate, ringing in the ear, and even make pre-existing medical conditions worse (7). 

Caffeine is structurally similar to the chemical adenosine, which is produced within the human body naturally (5). Adenosine is the chemical that is responsible for causing drowsiness and sleepiness (5). This is due to the fact that adenosine binds to receptors in the brain and causes the nerve cells to slow down (5).  However, when caffeine is present it binds to the receptors that adenosine would normally bind to and increases the nerve cells productivity (5).

Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound within many plants. However, caffeine can also be synthetically produced by using urea and exposing it to a variety of chemicals like carbon dioxide or ethyl acetate (6). If an individual wants to experience increased mental alertness, improved memory, and reduced fatigue, but may be sensitive to caffeine there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives include taking B vitamins, ginseng, and Ginkgo Biloba (6). 

References

1. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014, September 04). Caffeine | chemical compound.                  Retrieved  February 29, 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/science/caffeine

2. ChemSpider. (2015). Caffeine. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from              http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.2424.html

3.Erowid. (2015, February 10). Erowid Psychoactive Vaults: LD50s & Material Safety Data Sheets.               Retrieved February 29, 2016, from                                                                                                           https://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/health/psychoactives_ld50s.shtml

4.Nawrot, P., Jordan, S., Eastwood, J., Rotstein, J., Hugenholtz, A., & Feeley, M. (2003). Effects of               caffeine   on human health. Food Additives and Contaminants, 20(1), 1-30.                                           doi:10.1080/0265203021000007840

5.  HowStuffWorks. (2009, March 21). Why does caffeine keep you awake? Retrieved March 02,                   2016, from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/caffeine-awake.htm

6.  Etinger, J. (2011, December 01). Need A Lift or A Jolt? Natural Vs. Synthetic Caffeine –  Organic             Authority. Retrieved March 02, 2016, from http://www.organicauthority.com/health/needa-                lift-or-a-jolt-the-important-differences-between-natural-and-synthetic-caffeine-natural                          caffeine-vs synthetic-why-the-difference-is-important.html

7.WebMd. (n.d.). CAFFEINE: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD. Retrieved               February 29, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-979-            caffeine.aspx?activeingredientid=979