Positive and Negative Effects of Caffeine
It is used in almost all beverages, including tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, and even medicines. Indeed, the National Institute of Health considers it to be the "most commonly consumed central-nervous-system stimulant" (Nehlig, Daval and Debry 12). Caffeine is the chemical in question. Unfortunately, O'Keefe et al. (44) observe that, through its widespread usage, people seldom take the time to understand both the positive and negative consequences of its consumption. With too much detail about its implications, consumers should understand its impact on human health and distinguish caffeine misconceptions from reality.
Positive Effects of Caffeine
The most significant benefit of caffeine is its stimulatory effect on the human body. Foxe et al. (35) observe that when it is absorbed into the bloodstream, individuals report feeling more alert and aware of their surroundings. Also, consumption of low quantities results in improved physical performance, reduced fatigue, and elevated mood. These effects hence render caffeinated beverages the drink of choice for blue-collar employees who work for long hours as well as transit drivers or others who stay for long in busy traffic (Foxe et al. 72). No wonder why they perceive this ingredient as the gasoline for the bodies of almost all American workers.
Negative Effects of Caffeine
Despite the above benefits, it also has negative implications for the consumers. According to Terry-McElrath, O’Malley, and Johnston (77), excessive consumption of caffeine may precipitate increased tolerance hence resulting in the urge to consume even more to experience the same stimulatory effects. This scenario may then result in heavy caffeine dependency as it is the case with other addictive drugs. Affected consumers may experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue and migraines which impede their ability to function normally.
Additionally, excessive consumption may cause increased stimulation of the central nervous system resulting in restlessness, insomnia, nausea, dehydration, and irregular heart rates. With caffeine increasingly finding its way into a variety of consumables as an ingredient (Breda et al. 5), more and more people are finding it easier to access – even without consciously making such a choice. It is hence only reasonable that they prioritize their health given the above effects. Therefore, the next time you serve yourself a hot cup of that delicious coffee, consider what would be the long-term effects of having such a delightful drink on a daily basis.
Works Cited
Breda, João Joaquim, et al. “Energy drink consumption in Europe: a review of the risks, adverse health effects, and policy options to respond.” Frontiers in public health 2 (2014).
Foxe, John J., et al. “Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task.” Neuropharmacology 62.7 (2012): 2320-2327.
Nehlig, A., Daval, J., & Derby, G. (2017). Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects. – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 26 October 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1356551
O’Keefe, James H., et al. “Effects of habitual coffee consumption on cardiometabolic disease, cardiovascular health, and all-cause mortality.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology 62.12 (2013): 1043-1051.
Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M., Patrick M. O’Malley, and Lloyd D. Johnston. “Energy drinks, soft drinks, and substance use among US secondary school students.” Journal of addiction medicine 8.1 (2014): 6.
