CAFFEINE

Where is Caffeine Found These Days?

Caffeine is the new acceptable drug of choice for Americans. It is a central nervous system stimulant that is found in coffee, tea, Brazilian guarana and Mate. Accroding to the FDA it is also found as an isolated ingredient in some 80 over-the-counter drugs. Among the more popular ones are Anacin, Fiorinol, Excedrin, Cafergot, Darvon Compound, Dristan and drugs to keep people awake. Caffeine is also added to many soft drinks.

 

Caffeine - a compound that naturally derives from over 60 different plant sources, including coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao seeds and cola nut seeds. According to the International Coffee Organization, approximately 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day.

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state that the average amount of caffeine consumed in the US is approximately 300 mg per person per day - the equivalent to between two and four cups of coffee. Unlike most other psychoactive substances, caffeine use is socially acceptable, and the drug is widely used. In fact, caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world.

 

The FDA are concerned that many food and drink products, such as jelly beans, waffles, syrup and chewing gum, now have caffeine added to them to enhance their stimulating effect.

 

Michael R. Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine at the FDA, said: Caffeine is addictive. Even if you drink only one large cup of coffee (or three cans of a cola drink) per day, you may feel the ill effects of missing a 'dose'. The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, drowsiness and loss of concentration. Drinking coffee will relieve these symptoms, so it can become compulsive. Caffeine in high doses can make anyone anxious but, in vulnerable people, even one cup of filter coffee can result in symptoms similar to a panic attack.

 

Did you ever wonder how caffeine affect us? 

Why do so many people consume caffeine related products?

Why does caffeine wake us up in the morning and keep us up during the night?

In short, it's all about two words:brain chemistry. Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the brain. That prevents adenosine, which is a natural sedative, from attaching itself and making you feel drowsy.

 

When you drink a cup of coffee, the drug it contains – caffeine – takes effect within about 15 minutes. According to the University of Michigan Health Service, the stimulating effects of caffeine can start as early as 15 minutes.

 

After drinking caffeine, it usually reaches its peak level in your blood within one hour and stays there for four to six hours.

Caffeine can be found in many drinks, food and drugs. The following items all contain various amounts of caffeine:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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