5 Things to Know About Caffeine
Among the news and topics I covered this week, was Americans’ “love” of caffeine being so strong that caffeine is “in our blood”. Click here to read more on that.
Americans of course aren’t alone in loving and using caffeine. But how much do caffeine-lovers, like yourself maybe, know about caffeine? What should you know? Here are 5 to get you started (and hopefully get you thinking about your daily dose):
1. Caffeine is a psychoactive drug. Psychoactive drugs act on the central nervous system, altering brain function. The result is temporary changes in mood, consciousness, behavior, and perception. Examples besides caffeine, include: alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and tobacco. Caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world.
2. Caffeine has a half-life of 4-6 hours in humans. This means that if you consume 400milligrams (mg) of caffeine at 2pm. You will have 200mg remaining in your system at 6pm, maybe even 8pm.
3. “The amounts of caffeine in different drinks can vary a lot, but it is generally”
- An 8-ounce cup of coffee: 95-200 mg
- A 12-ounce can of cola: 35-45 mg
- An 8-ounce energy drink: 70-100 mg
- An 8-ounce cup of tea: 14-60 mg
- (https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html#cat_51)
4. Caffeine at a moderate intake may have benefits, such as: small temporary improvements in mental performance; and improved mood when consumed at moderate levels.
5. Excess caffeine (for most people that is amounts over 400milligrams) can have negative side effects, including:
- Drug interactions
- Restlessness and shakiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Rapid or abnormal heart rhythm
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Dependency, so you need to take more of it to get the same results
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
- Sleep interference
- Worsened signs of depression
- Increased Blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics
- Fertility challenges
- Affects on pregnancy
And a bonus for you:
"Caffeine's use as an alertness aid should only be occasional. It is not intended to replace sleep and should not regularly be used for this purpose.”