Contents
Effects of caffeine on the body
Caffeine is a stimulant and exciting. It alters the state of the nervous system and the brain, and therefore prevents drowsiness in people who consume it.
In fact, its usual consumption is to be “awake”. Therefore, people who get up and can’t do anything until they have had a coffee, or people who drink it late in the day to maintain a state of alertness whether it’s for study or work. Chemically, caffeine blocks adenosine, which regulates sleep and wakefulness.
What are the benefits of caffeine?
The benefits of caffeine are that by altering the nervous system and stimulating wakefulness, one can stay focused or awake longer.
caffeine contraindications
The contraindications of caffeine are diverse. Its consumption, especially in excess, can drastically alter the heart rate. It is important to control the levels consumed, otherwise it could lead to arrhythmia.
In turn, by increasing heart rate, blood pressure increases. Therefore, for people who have a natural tendency to increase blood pressure, the consumption of coffee or caffeinated products is not recommended.
By inhibiting adenosine which regulates the state of sleep, the consumption of coffee or caffeine in general is likely to disturb sleep and cause insomnia. It occurs easily in humans, but it usually occurs when consumed in large quantities and in the late afternoon when it’s time to go to sleep.
Another of the big problems associated with excessive coffee consumption is mood swings. For example, people who consume large amounts of caffeine may experience irritability, nervousness, and restlessness.
Coffee consumption inhibits iron absorption. Therefore, it is not recommended for people suffering from anemia or a tendency to this disease.
Also, one of the most common side effects of excessive coffee consumption is diarrhea.
One of the coffee substitutes is carob. You can prepare drinks similar to coffee (cappuccino, latte, etc.) but based on these ground seeds instead of coffee beans.
How much caffeine is there in a coffee?
A coffee contains about 40 mg of caffeine. This can vary depending on how it is prepared, both the type of machine or grind, and the water/coffee ratio used.
How much caffeine per day can I consume?
According to the agency EFSA of European Food Health, the amounts that can be considered harmless are between 75 and 300 mg per adult person. It should also be taken into account that there are people who are more tolerant than others, as is often the case with stimulants. (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/corporate_publications/files/efsaexplainscaffeine150527es.pdf)
Therefore, what for one is normal or low consumption, for the other it will be climbing the walls.
Caffeine and painkillers
Caffeine has analgesic and vasodilating effects. This is why some pain relievers already contain caffeine.
For example Cafiaspirina, a caffeinated aspirin from Bayer, is used for headaches, menstrual cycle pain, muscle aches and discomfort associated with fever.
Foods and plants containing caffeine
In general, foods containing caffeine have been fortified with it, although a few contain it naturally.
Foods containing caffeine are listed from different variations of coffees (cappuccino, Irish, etc.) to soft drinks, energy drinks and caffeinated beers.
For example, dark chocolate contains 43 grams of caffeine per 100 grams.
Therefore, taking a small coffee tablet could be equivalent to drinking a cup of coffee.
Tea is one of the plants that naturally contains caffeine, black tea being the one that contains the most. In addition to mate and guarana, which also contain caffeine.
The cocoa plant also contains high amounts of this stimulant. About 100 grams of cocoa beans contain 230 grams of caffeine. And even M&Ms contain about 10 grams of caffeine per 100 grams of product. So if after a chocolate party, we see that our little one is climbing the walls, we can deduce that it’s as if he had had a coffee.