Physical Effects!

Physical Effects!

            A plethora of research on the physical effects of caffeine has been done; however, results and theories are extremely variable.  The most common side effects of caffeine physically are as follows: muscle spasms, headaches, hyperactivity and addiction.  REMEMBER caffeine is a drug, it is possible to become addicted!   Humans that consume 1000-1500mg a day are often put into a category of people with “caffeinism.” Most things are harmless in small doses, but when they become abused you can end up with unwanted and possibly harmful side effects.  Caffeinism is a mixture of dependency and unpleasant mental/physical conditions, some of these may include: irritability, uncontrollable muscle spasms, headaches, insomnia, irregular heart palpitations, nervousness and anxiety.   For every negative effect of caffeine produces, a positive ones presents itself.  Multiple research projects have linked caffeine to decreased risk for all sorts of cancer! If you care to read a interesting article or two I suggest  “Caffeinated Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Oral Cancers” published on SCIENCE DAILY, (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121210133456.htm ) this article is based off of research done by the American Cancer Society!  One of the common myths associated with caffeine is that it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease; this is false, little to no evidence has been found regarding this.  Another common myth is that caffeine will stunt your child’s growth; no scientific evidence is supportive! In addition to to some well researched physical effects, it is often forgotten how highly addictive caffeine can be.  Addiction can occur with repetitive use, eventually causing physical dependence.  Once a dependency, is created stopping your use of caffeine becomes a similar process as weaning yourself off of nicotine products.  It can be very stressful for you and those around you, so please monitor your daily caffeine intake!   Keep reading this week to learn about the physiological effects, how it effects athletes, what happens when mixed with alcohol, and some first hand research from a Dunkin Donuts employee! 

Malinauskas, Brenda M., Victor G. Aeby, and Reginald F. Overton. "A Survey of Energy Drink Consumption Patterns among College Students." BioMed Central | The Open Access Publisher. Nutrition Journal, 31 Oct. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2013. <http://www.biomedcentral.com/>.

Smith, Effects of caffeine on human behavior, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 40, Issue 9, September 2002, Pages 1243-1255, ISSN 0278-6915, <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691502000960

  P . Nawrot , S. Jordan , J. Eastwood , J. Rotstein , A. Hugenholtz & M. Feeley (2003) Effects of caffeine on human health, Food Additives & Contaminants, 20:1, 1-30, DOI: 10.1080/0265203021000007840