Caffeine Anyone?

There are more than 170 million addicts in the US and chances are you are one of them.  If you don’t have your daily dose of caffeine you feel ill and have a hard time quitting.  Now you can get a quick fix in more than just coffee, soft drinks and tea.  With 55 to 90% of the US population getting their daily caffeine fix, food manufacturers have started adding the addictive substance to just about everything –  Red Bull energy drink may be the most popular of the newly supercharged products, but caffeine products are turning up in gum, lip balm, mints, beer, candy, and even sunflower seeds and soap!  Not only has the latest craze turned to energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster drinks, but even soft drinks such as Diet Pepsi and some brands of coffee, are offering a caffeine spiked version.  Even though popularity in these caffeine-laden products has been at a high, how much is actually good for you?

Because caffeine crosses the blood brain barrier, our bodies see effects from the drug by dampening our neurotransmitters that normally make you tired, in which temporarily improves cognitive and even athletic performance.  The typical consumer drinks about 200 to 300 mg in two to three cups of coffee per day. 

How much is too much?  Can you overdose on caffeine?  There is a limit and technically you can reach it.  However, our bodies have plenty of time to warn us that we have taken on too much.  Generally more than five cups of coffee is too much.  In order to overdose, you really have to work at it.  More than likely, you will experience the jitters and stomachaches, which is your body telling you that you have had enough. 

While caffeine has it’s benefits, it is important to know your limit.  It is doubtful that one will have a serious addiction problem, but withdrawal from caffeine may bring on unpleasant side effects such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, sleeplessness and more. 

 Source: Time.com

Add comment October 30th, 2007