What is Caffeine

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and it is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug and mild diuretic in the world, primarily because of its stimulating effects, warding off drowsiness and restoring ones alertness. It is fair to say that caffeine is the only psychoactive substance that is legal and unregulated in nearly all jurisdictions—and we are thankful for it!

Although caffeine dates back to the Stone Age it wasn’t until 1819 that this bitter white crystalline xanthine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge who coined the term “kaffein”, a chemical compound in coffee, which in English translates to caffeine. Caffeine is also called theine when found in tea, guaranine when found in guarana, mateine when found in mate; all containing the same chemical compound.

Chewing the seeds, bark or leaves of certain plants was practiced in the early times for its medicinal purposes of easing fatigue, stimulating awareness and elevating mood. However, it wasn’t discovered until much later that similar effects could be attained by steeping such plants in hot water.

Caffeine and Consumption

Individuals commonly consume caffeine by drinking coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, energy drinks, and eating chocolate. Caffeine can also be found in many other products, including over-the-counter medications, and can be synthetically added to food, beverages, and supplements. Caffeine is a very bitter tasting substance, but having gone through a vigorous processing system much of the bitterness was gone.

Wide Range of Benefits Reported

According to several studies at Canada’s University of Guelph it has been reported that athletes had increased their performance levels and endurance during a trial whereby individuals ingested 330 mg of caffeine (or 5 mg per kilogram of body weight) some where between thirty minutes to an hour before workouts—and the results were astounding. These trials indicated that caffeine works, and in fact, works extremely well. Individual’s endurance was longer, they had a faster time, had less exertion, and less fatigue and more rapid recovery. It was noted, however, that the effects were notably better when caffeine was taken in tablet form as opposed to drinking coffee.

Caffeine is also considered a great tool in the battle of the bulge. Although none of the research indicates that caffeine is, in fact, a weight-loss/control catalyst, the implications are clear-cut—caffeine speeds up metabolism and it is the most active ingredient in many diet pills. The reason for this is because caffeine is known to break down fat, freeing fatty acids, which are immediately burned. When converting fat to energy it is about 30 percent more efficient when caffeine is consumed prior to exercise.

Historically, caffeine has had many uses such as alleviating pain, opening up airways, providing improved breathing, and overcoming chronic fatigue.

Caffeine Lovers—Celebrate and Rejoice!

I don’t believe that many substances have been studied through the years more than caffeine nor have there been many drugs more controversial than caffeine. Some studies were positive while others not so positive. If you are like me and you follow the news then you are on the same roller coaster that I am. One study says it is good and a few months later as I’m sipping my morning coffee, low and behold, another study says it is not so good for you. What’s a person to do? Well all you coffee mongers, like myself and tea drinkers, or whatever it is that fancies your palate, lighten up new studies have emerged and this time it is all good news!! We can finally put all the myths and controversy behind us!

I have been waiting to report a study like this for a long time—and the news is AWESOME! Once under public scrutiny, the caffeine has now been given the seal of approval as a safe substance by just about everyone: The U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. FDA, National Academy of Science, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Cancer Institute, National Research Council on Diet and Health and the list goes on—however, I think you get the picture. So don’t be afraid to indulge in your favorite caffeine beverage and rejoice at the latest findings.

So if you are looking for that miraculous drug, the one that promises to lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer as well as the other benefits mentioned above, look no further—caffeine has come to the rescue. This is true—caffeine just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes and apparently the more you drink the better. Now that is news that I have no problem swallowing!

This information does not come lightly. A huge study done by Harvard researchers analyzing data on 126,000 individuals for as long as 18 years, calculated that these individuals who consumed America’s favorite morning brew, downing one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. However, men who drank six cups or more each day slashed their risk by 54% and women who drank the same amount slashed their risk by 30% than those who did not consume their morning java. As you can see, this was a massive study and results are astounding!

Through the years there have been thousands of similar studies done examining coffee’s effect on individual’s health, and the good news seems on coming for those millions of Americans who enjoy having their morning brew. It’s no secret that the majority of U.S. adults are regular coffee drinkers and this is good news for them, as well as the millions of individuals who consume other caffeinated beverages, such as tea, colas, red bull, etc. We are not suggesting, however, that you O.D. on this stuff, we are simply stating that you can enjoy caffeine without the worry. Caffeine use by individuals who indulge in drinking caffeinated beverages all day long, who suddenly stop drinking these caffeinated beverages, may experience some form of withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, anxiety and fatigue.

All in all, research indicates that coffee is far more beneficial than it is harmful—and for most individuals very little risk, if any, comes from drinking coffee, but a lot of benefits derive from drinking caffeinated beverages.

That’s not all—research also suggests that coffee even offsets some of the causal damage by other vices, such as smoking and heavy drinking. It was noted that less heart disease and liver damage among these smokers and drinkers were reported when heavy amounts of coffee was consumed compared to those who did not indulge. These reports keep getter better and better!

Not to bore you, but there are many similar studies to support these findings, but I think you get the picture—caffeine is the new miracle drug to watch!

It is no surprise that beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks enjoy great popularity and are soaring in sales. It is also no surprise that 90 percent of all adults in North America consume some form of caffeine daily. And, it is no surprise that the FDA, in the US lists caffeine as a “Multiple Purpose Generally Recognized as a Safe Food Substance.”