Caffeine not only stimulates! The surprising properties of caffeine. You like coffe? Read on!

Caffeine is the most popular natural stimulant. It occurs not only in coffee beans, cocoa beans, guarana fruits, tea leaves and yerba mate, but also in dozens of other plants. To improve concentration and regain strength, we use coffee, tea and energy drinks more often. It is worth getting to know their properties in more detail to know when and in what amounts they best serve the body.

Caffeine is a substance found, among others, in in coffee beans (about 1–2.8%), tea leaves (where theine is called; about 2–3.5%), cola nuts (up to 3.5%), cocoa beans and guarana. The effect of caffeine is that it stimulates the central nervous system, increasing concentration, reflexes and improving mood. In addition, caffeine accelerates the heart rate, increases the strength of its contraction and increases the metabolic rate. It also constricts the vessels of the brain, which helps to relieve migraines. What other properties does caffeine have?

Caffeine: Properties

Caffeine stimulates, improves memory and concentration

Caffeine has stimulating properties by acting on the cerebral cortex. It causes better concentration of attention, extends the time of concentration, reduces fatigue and drowsiness. Some studies show that it improves logical thinking and memory. However, this is a short-term effect and dies along with the excretion of caffeine from the body. The average half-life of this compound in the body is 4 hours (each has a different sensitivity to caffeine - it metabolizes faster, e.g. in smokers).

The highest concentration of caffeine in the blood occurs 40-60 minutes after consumption. This is why the stimulating effect of coffee or tea is delayed.

Caffeine for potency

If sexual problems, such as decreased libido, are due to fatigue, then raw materials containing caffeine may be helpful. This was proved by, among others researchers from the University of Texas. Their research shows that men who consume 85 to 170 mg of caffeine a day (i.e. 1-2 cups of coffee) are down by 42 percent. less at risk of developing erectile dysfunction than men who consume only 0-7 mg of caffeine a day.

Caffeine is a compound used in painkillers because it relieves pain and tension, and also affects the release of dopamine - the hormone responsible for the feeling of satisfaction. In addition, caffeine can reduce histamine in the body (a compound responsible for allergic reactions). It is also used in the treatment of bronchial asthma because it dilates the bronchial tubes. There are more and more scientific reports that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, but this has not yet been proven.

Caffeine and heart disease

Although it is known that caffeine raises blood pressure, after long studies of the relationship between moderate coffee drinking and the development of hypertension, no relationship has been found. In most patients with hypertension, drinking 1–2 cups of not very strong coffee does not cause any negative effects.

However, they should keep a diary and measure their blood pressure after drinking caffeinated drinks. If they observe a significant increase in pressure, they have to give up. It is also worth consulting with your doctor in what amounts you can drink coffee.

In addition, it is known that caffeinated drinks have no effect on the occurrence of heart and circulatory system diseases. It is different when they are drunk in large amounts. People who drink a lot of coffee often smoke, lead a sedentary lifestyle, and eat unhealthy. In them, the adverse effects of coffee, combined with risk factors for coronary heart disease, do contribute to heart disease. People with slow caffeine metabolism are also at risk.

Caffeine and nutrient deficiencies

It all depends on your diet and the amount of these drinks. Since they are diuretic, some minerals, especially calcium, are slightly lost in the urine.

There is less caffeine in tea than in coffee, so it works to a lesser extent. You need to drink a lot more tea to achieve a stimulating effect similar to coffee.

However, the assumption that excessive or even moderate coffee drinking is responsible for this disease in people with osteoporosis has not been confirmed. However, if someone takes a low amount of calcium in the diet (the norm is about 1000 mg a day) and at the same time drinks a lot of coffee, this may affect the development of the disease.

In addition, coffee, like tea, reduces the absorption of iron, because it contains tannins that reduce the absorption of this element. Therefore, you should not drink these drinks until half an hour after an iron-rich meal. It is also known that caffeinated drinks can reduce the use of magnesium, zinc and B vitamins in the body. If we eat properly and provide the right amount of these ingredients, drinking coffee in moderate amounts (2-3 cups a day) does not affect the deficiency these relationships.

Caffeine and pregnancy

There is no clear confirmation that caffeine is harmful to pregnant women. Although, according to studies comparing the relationship between the amount of caffeine in the diet and miscarriage, the occurrence of birth defects and problems with getting pregnant, no such relationship was found, caution is advised. The duration of action of caffeine in the body of pregnant women (similar to women using contraceptive pills) is much longer than in non-pregnant women. In addition, coffee somewhat limits the absorption of nutrients from the diet, which may make it difficult to meet the requirements during pregnancy. Therefore, during this period, it is better to limit coffee to 1-2 cups of weak infusion.

Coffee brewed in a glass is more harmful than instant coffee and coffee made from the machine

It does not depend on the caffeine content, but on the presence of diterpenes in coffee - compounds that can raise blood cholesterol levels. These substances are removed in the coffee filtering process, and they are absent in instant coffee, but they are found in large amounts in coffee brewed in a glass or boiled (brewed in Turkish). Therefore, people who have atherosclerosis or hyperlipidemia should not drink such coffee.

The positive effect of caffeine was observed when it was taken in the amount of 100-300 mg per day. However, high doses may cause symptoms of poisoning.

Worth knowing - Caffeine: average content in selected products:

• A cup of coffee (200 ml) - 80–140 mg (depending on the amount of coffee). A cup of brewed coffee provides an average of about 85 mg of caffeine, and about 75 mg of soluble caffeine.
• A cup of cappuccino - approx. 40 mg
• A cup of black tea - approx. 50 mg
• A cup of green tea - approx. 30 mg
• Energy drink (250 ml) - about 90 mg
• Cola drink (250 ml) - 30-50 mg
• Chocolate (100 g) - 10-70 mg

Caffeine: symptoms of poisoning

The results of research conducted among Irish students are worrying - they drink up to 6 cans of energy drinks a day. A safe dose for children is about 5.3 mg / kg body weight, that is, for example, 140–160 mg of caffeine per day for a ten-year-old child - slightly more than 1.5 cans of these drinks. For an adult, the safe dose of caffeine is less than 300 mg per day. Above 500 mg is already considered an overdose. And over 2000 mg - for caffeine poisoning: causes, among others,

• strong agitation
• distraction, trouble paying attention
• nervousness
• hot flushes
• dizziness, convulsions
• insomnia

Caffeine: use in cosmetics

Cosmetic manufacturers use the unique properties of caffeine to remove cellulite and sagging skin. This compound improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helps to get rid of residual toxins. In addition, it gives the skin energy and helps to keep it firm.