Caffeine to knows

Caffeine is an interesting substance that has become the "pick me up". It is found in a cup of coffee (about 60-100 mg per 4 oz) a can of certain sodas (40-45 mg per 11oz cup), tea (30-60 mg per 4 oz), an energy drink can have more than 200 mg per 12 oz. So what do these numbers mean? This chart shows a comparison of the amount of caffeine compared to each substance in a 4 oz serving. Something to take note of is the energy drink was just an average. The FDA does not regulate the amount of caffeine in an energy drink.


Like most things, there is a point of tolerance with caffeine. Meaning more must be consumed in order for the affects to work; however there is always a breaking point.There is such things as a toxicity level with caffeine. The RDA says the toxicity level of caffeine in humans is dependent on weight and individual sensitivity and estimated to be about 150 to 200 milligrams per kilogram of body mass. That is about 100 cups of coffee for a normal adult. Therefore, unless you have a long night and an endless amount of coffee I think once can assume safety from toxic levels of caffeine.

Caffeine is not as bad as some people crack it up to be. It is a diuretic which means it allows you to urinate more. It allows the amount of blood pumping through your system to move faster moving more waste out (although with most drinks you are simply putting more junk in). It is also a legal form of a psychoactive drug (others include alcohol, tobacco and other illicit drugs). It has been shown to increase concentration and alertness (strange considering it is a staple in every college students diet).

The negatives are as follows: heart arithmias, nervousness, increase blood pressure, stomach problems, irritability, hormone problems, negative affects on blood sugar levels, and a few more. All of these are acute and will go away if the amount of caffeine consumed is decreased. A side affect of decreasing caffeine intake, especially if you have been taking it for a long time, is withdrawls. Your body will detox just as it would with alcohol and give you about the same symptoms. Caffeine has shown to give problems to fetus's and children, however it is not been proven to cause problems, so it is really a good precaution to avoid over consumption of caffeine during those times.

References:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/rm-quiz-caffeine-myths
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600
http://www.kantonslabor-bs.ch/files/infos/e_coffeinkaffee.pdf
http://jap.physiology.org/content/85/1/154.full
http://www.pe2000.com/caffeine.htm