What is it that prompts our need for that morning cup of Joe? Why is it that we can't drag ourselves into consciousness without first taking a sip of a triple shot nonfat latte? It's the caffeine, of course. Caffeine is a natural stimulant. In fact, caffeine is actually considered the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world.
Statistically, around 80% of the world's population drinks or eats caffeine in some form or other, either in coffee, mate, tea, or chocolate etc. every single day. A whopping 90% of Americans ingest caffeine on a regular day to day basis. Just over half of those intake more than 300 milligrams of the stuff daily. Caffeine seems to make the world go round.
The question becomes then, why is caffeine so necessary and what is it that makes it so appealing? In scientific terms caffeine is known as trimethylxanthine and its molecular formula is C8H10N4O2. As a pure substance, caffeine is odorless and white in appearance and acidic in taste.
Caffeine was first discovered back in 1819 by a German chemist called Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, who called it kaffein due to the fact that it was found in coffee or kaffee in German.
Caffeine is found in beans, leaves and fruits of various plant species which use it to ward off and even kill certain types of insects.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It acts quite literally like a pick me up. Ingest caffeine and you'll feel less drowsy, more alert and ready to go. This is why so many people rely on it to wake up in the mornings. Caffeine also has diuretic characteristics, although studies have shown that these aren't necessarily significant. Caffeine takes about 30-45 minutes to be absorbed by the body. The duration of its effects varies, but for the average healthy adult, it lasts around 4-5 hours.
There are varying opinions as to the effects and benefits of caffeine. High caffeine consumption which is considered to be more than 6,000 mg/day (most Americans consume about 280 mg/day, while about 20-30% consume more than 600 mg) is considered to be adverse to one's health. It can lead to sleeping problems and it is addictive.
The more caffeine you consume, the more tolerance for it you build, meaning that you have to take more to feel its effects; it's the same with other drugs. Caffeine tolerance or adaption is developed quickly. It can be addicting. Consumers of large quantities of caffeine do often experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
Caffeine, when taken in moderate amounts, has been proven to stimulate mental and physical prowess. Scientific trials have proven that it can enhance athletic endurance.
Percolated coffee contains around 80-135 mg of caffeine per serving; drip coffee, on the other hand contains 115-175 mg of caffeine. A Starbucks coffee, tall, 12 ounces contains 240 mg of caffeine. Green tea contains 30 mg, while black tea contains 50 mg.
Studies have shown that caffeine, may, potentially have adverse effects on pregnant women. There seems to be some correlation between miscarriages and increased caffeine intake, although there is no direct evidence to prove this.
Some religions discourage the consumption of caffeine due to its stimulative properties.
Statistically, around 80% of the world's population drinks or eats caffeine in some form or other, either in coffee, mate, tea, or chocolate etc. every single day. A whopping 90% of Americans ingest caffeine on a regular day to day basis. Just over half of those intake more than 300 milligrams of the stuff daily. Caffeine seems to make the world go round.
The question becomes then, why is caffeine so necessary and what is it that makes it so appealing? In scientific terms caffeine is known as trimethylxanthine and its molecular formula is C8H10N4O2. As a pure substance, caffeine is odorless and white in appearance and acidic in taste.
Caffeine was first discovered back in 1819 by a German chemist called Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, who called it kaffein due to the fact that it was found in coffee or kaffee in German.
Caffeine is found in beans, leaves and fruits of various plant species which use it to ward off and even kill certain types of insects.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It acts quite literally like a pick me up. Ingest caffeine and you'll feel less drowsy, more alert and ready to go. This is why so many people rely on it to wake up in the mornings. Caffeine also has diuretic characteristics, although studies have shown that these aren't necessarily significant. Caffeine takes about 30-45 minutes to be absorbed by the body. The duration of its effects varies, but for the average healthy adult, it lasts around 4-5 hours.
There are varying opinions as to the effects and benefits of caffeine. High caffeine consumption which is considered to be more than 6,000 mg/day (most Americans consume about 280 mg/day, while about 20-30% consume more than 600 mg) is considered to be adverse to one's health. It can lead to sleeping problems and it is addictive.
The more caffeine you consume, the more tolerance for it you build, meaning that you have to take more to feel its effects; it's the same with other drugs. Caffeine tolerance or adaption is developed quickly. It can be addicting. Consumers of large quantities of caffeine do often experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea.
Caffeine, when taken in moderate amounts, has been proven to stimulate mental and physical prowess. Scientific trials have proven that it can enhance athletic endurance.
Percolated coffee contains around 80-135 mg of caffeine per serving; drip coffee, on the other hand contains 115-175 mg of caffeine. A Starbucks coffee, tall, 12 ounces contains 240 mg of caffeine. Green tea contains 30 mg, while black tea contains 50 mg.
Studies have shown that caffeine, may, potentially have adverse effects on pregnant women. There seems to be some correlation between miscarriages and increased caffeine intake, although there is no direct evidence to prove this.
Some religions discourage the consumption of caffeine due to its stimulative properties.
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