The History of Caffeine

For several days, we’ve been hearing about how caffeine has improved or harmed our lives. People’s attitudes toward caffeinated beverages vary widely, and some choose to consume or avoid them. Caffeine is ubiquitous in our culture these days, and we learn about research showing how good or unhealthy it is for our intake every few months. The question is, who do we believe?

Is caffeine intake beneficial or harmful to human health? Or

Problem: To determine if caffeine consumption have a positive or negative effect on our health

Findings:

Positive effects

i. Caffeine is well known as a stimulant (Kushner, 2015), and it comes from the leaves, fruits, and seeds of not less than sixty-three plants. That the reason why so many people drink it.

ii. The effect favors people who drive for long distance as well as those who are engaged in tedious work. Indicating this as a health benefit may be stretching it, however staying awake while driving a car contributes to one’s well-being.

iii. Caffeine is shown to have cancer prevention qualities as it contains antioxidants (Mumaw & Oldfield, 2006).

Negative effects

i. The adverse effects attached to the consumption of caffeine depend primarily on how much one consumes. For instance, when consumed in small quantities such as a cup of coffee or soda it increases heart rate, enables one to urinate more, which can lead to dehydration and prompt one digestive system to produce more acid (Dunagan, Greenleaf & Cisar, 1994).

ii. Caffeine can make one have headaches, be nervous, be unable to sleep, and feel restless when consumed in large quantities (Mumaw & Oldfield, 2006).

iii. One can as well experience hallucinations. In fact, when one drink more considerable amount of caffeine, for instance over 600 mg per day over an extended period, he or she can experience sleep problems, despairs, and digestion issues.

iv. According to Dunagan, Greenleaf and Cisar (1994), having caffeine in one’s diet is not beneficial to his or her health, but on the same take, there is no harm when consumed moderately (Caffeine for the sustainment of mental task performance, 2001).

v. Taking 250 mg of caffeine per day is considered moderate while 10 cups per day is regarded as extreme. Take note that the quantity of caffeine per cup differs significantly based on the type of beans and the strength of the brew.

Conclusion

Caffeine has both positive as well as negatives effects on a person’s health and well-being. However, one needs not to worry much if he or she drinks his coffee in moderation.

Bibliography:

Caffeine for the sustainment of mental task performance. (2001). Washington, D.C.

Dunagan, N., Greenleaf, J., & Cisar, C. (1994). Thermoregulatory effects of caffeine ingestion during rest and exercise in men. Moffett Field, Calif.: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center

Kushner, M. (2015). The truth about caffeine. Miami, FL: SCR Books.

Mumaw, S., & Oldfield, W. (2006). Caffeine for the creative mind. Cincinnati, Ohio: HOW Books.