by Kris Kennedy

Created on: March 18, 2010

Caffeine

Some individuals who claim to be drug free might actually be living on the most common stimulant, caffeine. Caffeine appears most commonly in coffee, but is also in soda drinks, energy drinks, tea and even chocolate. The body can process 250 milligrams of caffeine a day and than it just hang around the system with side effects occurring. Consumption of 1,000 milligrams a day for is common.

Side Effects

The side effect that everyone drinks caffeine to get is the stimulation or adrenalin rush. This comes from the side effect of increasing the heartbeat. The problem is that the increase of heart beat ends abruptly and than there is a rapid drop in heartbeat and energy. To return to that level another caffeine beverage needs consumption. This can explain why more caffeine is consumed than the body can process, but maybe the side effects are more challenging than the benefits of added consumption

Many women suffer from premenstrual problems. Premenstrual problems, cramping, tender breasts and irregular period, are intensified by caffeine consumption. Caffeine consumption can contribute to premenstrual symptoms so caffeine may be the cause in woman who is prone to premenstrual symptoms. 

Gastric intestinal and urination problems are common in caffeine consumers. Frequent urination or diarrhea is common. Some people have the opposite problem of needing coffee for bowel movements.

Sleep Disorder

The most common side effect is sleep disorders. Many individuals stop drinking caffeine beverages after early evening, but if they exceeded the 250 milligrams of caffeine during the day the remaining750 milligrams are running through the body impacting the nervous system causing a wide variety of sleep problems such as insomnia. In addition, some experience teeth grinding while asleep.

Withdrawal

Caffeinism is the addiction, which can occur with 600 milligrams of caffeine. A consumer will fully understand the dependence if he or she tries to withdraw from the consumption of caffeine. The most common side effect is an almost immediate throbbing headache until caffeine consumption occurs. Some of the other side effects of withdrawal are constipation.  It may not be necessary to withdraw entirely from caffeine consumption because it has some benefit

Strengths

In moderation, caffeine produces stamina through increasing metabolism and the break down of fatty acids. Some research has shown prevention in the development of Diabetes or Parkinson disease.

Recommendation

It might be wise to reduce caffeine consumption rather than eliminating it entirely from ones diet. If you can keep it within the amount that the body can process, 250 milligrams a day, you can have the benefits without the side effects.

 Sources

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/caffeine-side-effects .html

http://www.teeccino.com/quiz2.aspx

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