All About The Effects of Caffeine

First off caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound that acts as a stimulant in humans. In other words caffeine xanthine is a purine bass. Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound and heterocyclic are organic compounds that contain a ring structure containing atoms in addition to carbon, such as sulfur, oxygen or nitrogen, as part of the ring. Putting it simpler there is a mix of organic compounds and chemicals that make up one molecule (group of atoms) of caffeine (C8,H10,N4,O2) The number represents how many atoms of the particular atomic element that are in one molecule of caffeine. C=carbon, H=hydrogen, N=nitrogen and O=oxygen. Or you can simply call it: 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6,-dione "Caffeine is a plant alkaloid, found in numerous plant species, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding upon them. The most commonly used caffeine-containing plants are coffee, tea, and to a small extent cocoa. Other, less commonly used, sources of caffeine include the yerba mate and guaran� plants, which are sometimes used in the preparation of teas and energy drinks. Two of caffeine's alternative names, mateine and guaranine, are derived from the names of these plants. Some yerba mat� enthusiasts assert that mateine is a stereoisomer of caffeine, which would make it a different substance altogether. However, caffeine is an achiral molecule, and therefore has no stereoisomers."

Now that we now what caffeine is, what does it do? "In humans, caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, having the effect of temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. Beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks enjoy great popularity; caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance, but unlike most other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all jurisdictions. In North America, 90% of adults consume caffeine daily. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists caffeine as a "Multiple Purpose Generally Recognized as Safe Food Substance". Many natural sources of caffeine also contain widely varying mixtures of other xanthine alkaloids, including the cardiac stimulants theophylline and theobromine and other substances such as polyphenols which can form insoluble complexes with caffeine."

When consuming Caffeine, it "enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine and can have its effects as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. Once in the body, caffeine will stay around for hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated."

Caffeine dates back to the stone age where Early peoples found that chewing the seeds, bark, and leaves of certain plants, the effects were easing fatigue, stimulating awareness, and elevating mood. Only much later was it found that the effect of caffeine was increased by steeping such plants in hot water. Many cultures have legends that attribute the discovery of such plants to people living many thousands of years ago.

Although caffeine is and was enjoyed by millions there is still concern about the "negative effects." It is estimated that in massive doses, "caffeine is lethal. A fatal dose of caffeine has been calculated to be more than 10 grams (about 170 mg/kg body weight) or drinking 80 to 100 cups of coffee in rapid succession." � http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html

I love caffeine and dissociate all the negative hype about it. I drink on a regular basis coffee, tea, PEPSI and all energy drinks!

Sources: Neuroscience for kids http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/caff.html, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine