- Dayton Daily News -
Experts aren\'t in agreement when it comes to the safety of caffeine or its impact on exercise performance, most likely due to the fact that individual differences make it impossible to determine who might benefit from its use and who may experience negative side effects, and to what degree.
Experts aren't in agreement when it comes to the safety of caffeine or its impact on exercise performance, most likely due to the fact that individual differences make it impossible to determine who might benefit from its use and who may experience negative side effects, and to what degree.
Studies have shown that caffeine increases the force and beat of the heart, increases breathing and stress hormones and temporarily elevates blood pressure.
Those who believe caffeine is safe argue that problems occur only in those who are hypersensitive or unaccustomed to it, or who consume extremely large amounts. The majority of scientific evidence seems to show that for many healthy adults, ingesting moderate quantities (250-350 mgs per day) poses no significant health risks. A link between consuming higher amounts and certain heart problems such as arrhythmias has been reported, however.
Extremely high intake (150 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight) can create an "overdose" effect, which is very dangerous and, in rare cases, fatal. For some, even moderate intake can create symptoms of "overdose."
Initial caffeine overdose symptoms can include flushed face, frequent urination, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach and sleep disturbances. More severe cases can include symptoms such as acute mental confusion and visual disturbances.
Caffeine does interact with certain medications, and can also interfere with iron absorption. It can interfere with sleep quality, increases urine production, increases amounts of fatty acids in the blood, and increases production of stomach acid. It is also a diuretic. If you are pregnant, anemic, have digestive or heart problems, or other conditions, ask your doctor for guidelines concerning use of caffeine.
Caffeine is metabolized and expelled by the body, so it does not get stored or accumulate in the bloodstream. It is absorbed quickly from the stomach and peaks in the bloodstream in about 1-2 hours.
For the average person consuming 100 mg, it takes roughly 5 to 7 hours to metabolize half of this. Until all of the caffeine has been processed, the central nervous system continues to be stimulated.
Caffeine can produce withdrawal symptoms if usage is stopped. Looking at over 170 years of research on caffeine withdrawal, a study at Johns Hopkins University suggests that true caffeine addiction and withdrawal symptoms can occur even from drinking as little as one cup a day.
When trying to cut back or stop using caffeine, it is normally advised to wean yourself off of it rather than going "cold turkey," which exaggerates withdrawal symptoms such as depressed mood, irritability, anxiety, upset stomach and headaches.
Going cold turkey also produces a rebound effect where the body becomes hypersensitive to its own natural sleep-enhancer, adenosine. When this happens, adenosine has an even more powerful sleepenhancing effect, making you feel tired and sluggish, and causing blood pressure to drop
Withdrawal symptoms usually begin in as little as 12 hours after the last dose of caffeine, typically peak within 1 to 2 days and may last up to a week or even longer.
Amounts of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary greatly. For example, generic instant coffee ranges from 27-173 mg per 8 ounces, espresso approximately 75 mg per single ounce. Teas also contain caffeine. Brewed tea typically ranges from 40-120 mg per cup; decaffeinated, about 4 mg. Other sources of caffeine include soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate and some over-the-counter drugs such as Excedrin and Anacin.