ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. More than 90 percent of adult Americans consume it regularly. But there are both benefits and risks when it comes to using this popular stimulant.
It perks you up and provides a boost of energy – but what are the benefits and drawbacks?
On the positive side, it may improve your performance during endurance exercise. It may also boost weight loss by temporarily suppressing your appetite and helping your body make more energy when digesting food. Research from Johns Hopkins shows it also may sharpen your long-term memory. And one study found that caffeine applied directly to the skin of mice helped prevent UV light from causing skin cancer. Beverages that contain caffeine, like coffee, contain powerful antioxidants.
Ashley Hinds, RDN, LDN, CEDRD, Registered Dietitian says, “There are some studies that show a lot of, actually, nutrition benefits to coffee.”
Various studies have found coffee consumption may lessen your risk of developing certain cancers, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other medical conditions. But – too much can have negative consequences.
Ashley Hinds, RDN, LDN, CEDRD says, “I’m always aware of that caffeine can actually increase our anxiety and it can disrupt our sleep cycle.”
It may also affect fertility. According to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, caffeine can reduce a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant by about 27 percent. And women who consume it during menopause are more likely to have hot flashes and night sweats. Experts generally recommend no more than 400 milligrams a day – that’s about four, eight-ounce cups of coffee. Helping you understand the pros and cons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that kids under 12 should avoid caffeine. Twelve to18 year olds should have no more than 100 milligrams of it a day. And experts advise pregnant women to consume no more than 200 milligrams a day.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/caffeine-dosing-side-effects-sleep-567057b0
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285194#risks
CAFFEINE: THE GOOD AND
THE BAD
REPORT #3182
BACKGROUND: Caffeine is found naturally in the leaves and fruits of some plants. It is present in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks, and energy drinks. It may also be found in chocolate bars, energy bars, and some non-prescription medications, such as cough syrup and slimming tablets. Guarana, a popular additive in energy drinks, is also a natural source. It is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, it can make you feel refreshed and focused. In large doses, it can make you feel anxious and have difficulty sleeping. Like many other drugs, it’s possible to develop a tolerance to caffeine, which means you need bigger and bigger doses to achieve the same effect. Caffeine is well absorbed by the body, and the short-term effects are usually experienced between 5 and 30 minutes after consumption. These effects can include increased breathing and heart rate, as well as increased mental alertness and physical energy. These effects can include increased breathing and heart rate and increased mental alertness and physical energy. Depending on the individual, these effects can last up to 12 hours. (Sources: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/caffeine)
LIMITS OF CAFFEINE: For healthy adults, the FDA recommends no more than 400 milligrams a day and that’s about four or five cups of coffee that are not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they metabolize it Certain conditions tend to make people more sensitive to caffeine’s effects, as can some medications. In addition, if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or are concerned about another condition or medication, talk to your health care provider about whether you need to limit caffeine consumption. Over-consuming it can cause things like insomnia, anxiousness, fast heart rate, upset stomach. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the consumption of caffeine and other stimulants by children and adolescents.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201)
NEW STUDIES: Dr. Dipender Gill, a clinician scientist at Imperial College London and lead author of a recent study, told Medical News Today they decided to study the effect of caffeine on obesity and joint health because caffeine is widely consumed, and they believe it is important to better understand its broad effects on health. His team focused on circulating caffeine in the body “This is the amount of caffeine circulating in the blood and is thus pharmacologically active to affect bodily functions,” he explained. They created a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) for plasma caffeine using two genetic variants independently associated with plasma caffeine levels. The GRS was then used to conduct a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) featuring 988 clinical traits recorded in the U.K. Biobank related to circulating caffeine levels. From there, the researchers used a Mendelian randomization analysis to figure out the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of plasma caffeine on previously reported and novel traits. Scientists also obtained genetic data for plasma caffeine from previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of about 9,900 people, mainly Europeans between the ages of 47 and 71. They also received genetic information for osteoarthrosis and osteoarthritis, as well as body mass index details. (Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/higher-blood-caffeine-levels-linked-to-lower-obesity-and-osteoarthritis-risk#Why-study-caffeine-in-relation-to-obesity,-joint-health)
* For More Information, Contact: Ashley Hinds, RDN, LDN, CEDRD
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