COFFEE
Tea, coffee, and colas are most commonly consumed beverages. These contain stimulants or flavoring agents, which perform some useful function, but are not essential for the proper functioning of the body. Coffee, tea, colas (carbonated beverages), cocoa, chocolates contain caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, its excess use causes undesirable effects on mental and physical health. One cup (150ml) of coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine.
ADVERSE EFFECTS:
·Excessive consumption of caffeine results in a number of symptoms, which includes sleep disturbance, frequent urination, muscular tension, jitteriness, and anxiety. It also stimulates acid secretion thereby causing acidity. Therefore to be avoided in people suffering from gastric ulcers.
·Excessive caffeine consumption during pregnancy could be fatal as caffeine crosses the placenta and enters the fetus, where it may affect fetal heart rate and breathing. Caffeine use is associated with increased reproductive loss and pregnancy complications.
·Osteoporosis: caffeine can be hard on bones. The more regular caffeine a woman drinks, the more calcium is excreted in her urine. The loss amounts to about 5mg of calcium for every six ounces of coffee or two cans of cola.
·Birth defects and miscarriage: cleft palates, missing toes and fingers. Risk of miscarriages is observed in women who consume caffeine more than 300 mg/day.
RESEARCHES:
·One study has showed that caffeine in just one to three cups of coffee per day increases the risk of miscarriages. Intake of coffee should be moderate i.e. around two cups per day. Coffee, chocolates also contains high amount of oxalic acid, therefore to be avoided in people suffering from oxalate stones. These beverages i.e. coffee, tea also contains tannins, which interferes in the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
·Caffeine is most widely consumed stimulant. Caffeine increases energy metabolism throughout the brain but decreases at the same time cerebral blood flow, inducing a relative brain hypoperfusion.
·Caffeine exerts obvious effects on anxiety and sleep, which vary according to individuals sensitivity to the methylxanthine.
·Caffeine temporarily heightens concentration and wards off fatigue.
·Within 30 to 60 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee, caffeine reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream. It typically takes four to six hours for its effects to wear off.
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon 12 hours after stopping your intake. They are at their worst after 24-48 hours, and can last for up to a week.
·Irritable
·Restless
·Muscle stiffness
·Difficulty concentrating
·Headaches, moderate to severe
·Chills and/or hot spells
OVERDOSE OF CAFFEINE
3 cups of coffee is considered an average or moderate dose, but 10 cups of coffee per day is considered excessive.
·Jitteriness
·Difficulty sleeping
·Headaches
·Anxiety
·Flushed face
·Nausea
·Accelerated heartbeat
By-Dr.Shafique Pathan.
MBBS;M.R.C.P.