People all around the world would happily claim to be running on caffeine to stay awake and get through their work shifts. Stats suggest that 80% of the world’s population consumes a product containing caffeine each day.
So what exactly is caffeine that people are so crazy for? And how is caffeine bad for you?
Why do people like caffeine?
Caffeine is amongst the most commonly used ingredients in the world which is found in tea, cacao plants and coffee. It is a natural stimulant that affects your brain and central nervous system to keep you alert and prevent tiredness.
Historians claim that people have been enjoying the effects of caffeine since 2737 B.C when the first tea was brewed and ever since then people have continued to enjoy caffeine in other forms such as coffee and caffeinated soft drinks.
Once consumed, caffeine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and makes its way to the liver where it is broken down into compounds after which it starts to affect our body.
The main effect of caffeine is on the brain as it results in the blocking of adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that gives us the sensation of being tired. This helps the body stay awake and alert, reducing your tiredness.
Caffeine also increases adrenaline levels in your blood to increase brain activity causing increased focus, it does this extremely quickly which is why most people prefer a few sips of coffee before starting work. It serves as just the punch you need to start off a busy work day.
How is caffeine bad for you?
We are sure by now you are absolutely convinced that caffeine is the best thing to have and an absolute necessity in your stressful work life but unfortunately that is not completely true. Caffeine can have some serious side effects and can prove to be dangerous for you. So how is caffeine bad for you? Let’s break the question down to answer it.
Caffeine consumption must be controlled so that it does not exceed the recommended dosage level, which can result in some side effects such as anxiety, restlessness, heartbeat issues, tremors and insomnia.
Caffeine can also prove to be highly addictive and promotes headaches, high blood pressure and migraines in certain individuals who cannot control their caffeine intake.
Additionally, caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriages and lower birth weight due to its ability to easily cross the placenta, which is why pregnant women are asked to take serious care about their caffeine intake during their pregnancy.
Another major issue of excessive caffeine intake is the fact that caffeine can influence and further promote the effects of drugs taken such as muscle relaxants and antidepressants. Caffeine is medically proven to increase their effects on the body which can prove to be extremely harmful in some cases.
What is the recommended dosage level of caffeine?
Since you know how is caffeine bad for you, let’s find out what amount is not bad.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) one should only consume up to 400 mg of caffeine in a day, which is around 3 or 4 cups of coffee to remain safe from the harmful side effects of caffeine.
There is also a need to spread the caffeine consumption throughout the day and avoid taking single doses of 500 mg caffeine, because that can also prove to be extremely fatal for your health. Therefore, it is recommended to only consume up to 200 mg of caffeine per single serving.
Key takeaway
People everywhere love caffeine and probably can’t imagine their lives without it. Caffeine has several health benefits such as improving muscle contractions, boosting metabolism and promoting fat loss and isn’t as unhealthy as it was once believed to be.
If you control your caffeine intake and are careful of the side effects excessive caffeine can cause, then you don’t have a lot to fear. We recommend that you enjoy your coffee or tea to the fullest while also promoting good health.