![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dieticiansatwork.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/Coffee1.jpg\" "\\"Coffee1\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat effect does Caffeine have on my Body?<\/h3>\n
Most of us know caffeine for its \u201cEnergy-Boosting\u201d properties and the feeling of heightened alertness that it provides, we use it to stay awake and learn for our exams, or to stay awake during work after waking up feeling exhausted. Medically caffeine is useful as a cardiac stimulant and also as a mild diuretic to increase urine production. But what effect is caffeine having on our brain to enable this wonderful feeling.<\/p>\n
Caffeine has both short term and long term effects on the body. Short term it blocks your adenosine receptors in the brain which causes the blood vessels in your brain to constrict as well as preventing your brain\u2019s nerve cells from slowing down or becoming \u201cdrowsy\u201d. Your body reacts to these changes by secreting adrenaline which causes your pupils to dilate, your airway to open up, your heart to beat faster, your blood vessels on the surface to get smaller, your blood pressure to rise, your blood flow to the stomach to slow, your liver to release sugar into the bloodstream for extra energy and your muscles to tighten up. This explains why, after consuming a big cup of coffee, your hands get cold, your muscles tense up, you feel excited and you can feel your heart beat increasing.<\/p>\n
On a more long term basis caffeine also increases dopamine levels in your body. Dopamine is used by the body to activate pleasure centres in certain parts of the brain, similar to Heroin and Cocaine. The problem with this is once the adrenaline and pleasurable feeling wears off from your 1st cup you face fatigue and depression so you continue to consume more caffeine to get the adrenaline and happy feelings going again. As you might imagine, having your body in a state of emergency all day long isn’t very healthy, and it also makes you jumpy and irritable. Another negative long term effect is caffeine\u2019s disruptive effect on sleep. When caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors it is preventing your body from entering into its deep sleep necessary for complete rest. If you consume a big cup of coffee with 200 mg of caffeine in it at 3:00pm by 9:00pm about 100 mg of that caffeine is still in your system preventing your body from reaping the benefits of deep sleep.<\/p>\n
What should my daily limit of Caffeine be?<\/strong><\/h3>\nWe all know that excessive amounts of caffeine intake can cause many negative side effects, but how much exactly is too much? Medical experts agree that ingesting more than 250 mg of caffeine in a short period of time can cause restlessness, insomnia, muscle twitching, gastrointestinal disturbance, cardiac arrhythmia and a host of other problems.<\/p>\n
In order to answer the question of \u2018how much is too much\u201d we need to look at the individual consuming the caffeine. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. If you’re susceptible to the effects of caffeine, just small amounts \u2014 even one cup of coffee or tea \u2014 may prompt unwanted effects, such as anxiety, restlessness, irritability and sleep problems.<\/p>\n
Factors that effect your reaction to caffeine include:<\/h3>\n\n- \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0How often you drink caffeine containing drinks<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gender (men are more susceptible to caffeine\u2019s effects)<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weight<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Age<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medication use & health conditions (especially anxiety disorders)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Did you know that even your genes (DNA) can have an influence on your reaction to caffeine. Our body\u2019s natural detoxification system is a two phase process. Caffeine is metabolised by the 1st phase of this process and when your first phase is sluggish, due to alterations in your genes, caffeine builds up in your body resulting in longer lasting effects of the caffeine.<\/p>\n
For most healthy adults 200 to 300 milligrams (mg), about two to four cups of brewed coffee and five cups of brewed tea per day, are not harmful, in fact they may actually have health promoting benefits. Remember it is not just the caffeine we need to worry about but also the effects of drinking coffee or tea such as increasing urination. It is a good idea to aim for no more than 3 cups of coffee or tea daily. You should not take in more than 400mg of caffeine per day. Heavy daily caffeine use\u2014more than 500 to 600 mg a day\u2014may cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, stomach upset, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors.<\/p>\n
- \n
- \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0How often you drink caffeine containing drinks<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gender (men are more susceptible to caffeine\u2019s effects)<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weight<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Age<\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medication use & health conditions (especially anxiety disorders)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Did you know that even your genes (DNA) can have an influence on your reaction to caffeine. Our body\u2019s natural detoxification system is a two phase process. Caffeine is metabolised by the 1st phase of this process and when your first phase is sluggish, due to alterations in your genes, caffeine builds up in your body resulting in longer lasting effects of the caffeine.<\/p>\n
For most healthy adults 200 to 300 milligrams (mg), about two to four cups of brewed coffee and five cups of brewed tea per day, are not harmful, in fact they may actually have health promoting benefits. Remember it is not just the caffeine we need to worry about but also the effects of drinking coffee or tea such as increasing urination. It is a good idea to aim for no more than 3 cups of coffee or tea daily. You should not take in more than 400mg of caffeine per day. Heavy daily caffeine use\u2014more than 500 to 600 mg a day\u2014may cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, stomach upset, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors.<\/p>\n