Is Caffeine Bad for You?

"My blood type is coffee." Is this the answer that you give to a doctor during a blood donation drive? Is caffeine running through your veins instead of blood? Is caffeine the source of your daily energy and even more important than your daily vitamin pill? Have you or are you planning to shift your workstation or table near the coffee machine? If all these answers are yes or maybe even thought-provoking, then you should read the following.

Many people are able to get out of their beds only after the strong smell of caffeine. Some tend to laze around coffee shops or coffee houses chatting with friends or just sitting on a coffee table reading a newspaper with their faithful companion, a caffeine cup. And for the busy office chaps, a cup of hot coffee is just as Honoré de Balzac puts in the following words, "Coffee falls into the stomach ... ideas begin to move, things remembered arrive at full gallop ... the shafts of wit start-up like sharp-shooters, similies arise, the paper is covered with ink ...".

Does Caffeine Affect Your Body
Whether it is a cup of Cappuccino or Espresso or Mocha, caffeine has got us all hooked to it. What is it that makes us go weak in the knees with the smell of caffeine hypnotizing our senses. So how does caffeine affect your body? Well, caffeine not only affects our minds it also affects us physically.

Caffeine in our cup of coffee stimulates the central nervous system making the mind alert. It gives our mind a shot of energy. Caffeine plays games with our minds making us feel good about ourselves and the immediate surroundings. Caffeine also increases the heart rate and metabolism. If you are going to the 'loo' a little more than often it is because of caffeine. Caffeine is known as a mild diuretic that makes one urinate more than often. The more you drink coffee, more the body gets used to it and the more you drink it to get that instant kick.

Caffeine Health Issues
Caffeine tends to alleviate fatigue and increases wakefulness. So if your definition of sleep is a symptom of caffeine deprivation, then you better read the following information. Drinking about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine, in simple English about 2 to 3 cups of brewed coffee a day may not be harmful to many individuals. But if the count is more than that and you are experiencing some or maybe all the following symptoms;

• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Irregular heart beats
• Headaches
• Muscle tremors
• Anxiety symptoms

If you turn out to be sensitive to the effects of caffeine even a single cup can cause restlessness, anxiety, irritability and sleep problems. And if you smoke, are a drug or substance user, suffer from stress and obesity, caffeine may lead to more negative health problems.

The Bad Points!
The most important process for a healthy body and mind is seven to eight hours of sound sleep every night. However, this may not be possible for heavy caffeine drinkers as caffeine interferes with your sleep patterns. This leads to sleep deprivation and leads to decrease alertness and performance during the day. This is because caffeine does not let you sleep at night and during day time you tend to fall asleep. You tend to get up from your sleep at night due to caffeine and this makes you restless during the day. So better stop drinking a caffeinated drink about 8 hours before bed time. Caffeine is not stored in the body and takes many hours for the body to completely remove it from the system.

Do you still believe, 'Caffeine isn't a drug, it's a vitamin!'? Well, I am sorry to break the myth, but caffeine is not a vitamin in any way. If you drink caffeine with meals, it will inhibit absorption of iron and calcium by your body from your food. As mentioned above, it has a diuretic effect and will lead to excessive fluid loss from the body.

Did you know, that within half and hour of drinking just a cup or two of coffee, there is 10 to 20% reduction in flow of blood to the brain. And if you have low blood sugar levels as you are surviving on coffee and have no time to grab a bite, it may lead to palpitations, anxiety, acidity, nausea and blurred vision. You may even suffer from 'caffeinism', that is, withdrawal symptoms, like a bad migraine or feeling of sickness.

Studies have shown drinking several cups of coffee a day increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis. The studies have proven a strong link between biochemical markers of arthritis and coffee. This makes people drinking four or more cups twice more likely to develop arthritis.

The Good Points!!
Strong coffee, and plenty, awakens me. It gives me warmth, an unusual force, a pain that is not without pleasure. I would rather suffer than be senseless. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

If you too believe with Napoleon and still seeking for some reasons that will help you continue your intake of caffeine in moderation, then I have good news. It has been observed that small amounts of caffeine along with a proper diet and exercise helps in weight loss. Caffeine speeds up the metabolism temporarily and help lose a few pounds. But, remember, increased metabolism will in turn increase your appetite, so watch what you eat.

Some studies also show caffeine contains small amounts of antioxidants that help prevent cancer. Few also claim that consumption of caffeine in moderation helps reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association has also reported that men consuming caffeine a day have 40% lower risk of developing gallstones. A compound called 'trigonelline' that gives the bitter taste and aroma to coffee has anti-adhesive and antibacterial properties that prevents dental cavities. Also, studies have shown there are 80% less chances of developing liver cirrhosis and 25% less chances of colon cancer in people who drink moderate amounts of caffeine on regular basis.

In the end, I will just say that excessive consumption of caffeine for long periods of time will lead to many health problems. Initially you may feel the kick out of coffee and remain alert, but in the long run the effects will be completely opposite. However, if you keep your intake of caffeine in moderation, you will get all the benefits of metal alertness and physical energy boost along with some great health benefits. I end this article with a beautiful description of coffee by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, 'Black as the devil, Hot as hell, Pure as an angel, Sweet as love.'