Caffeine: Its Ups and Downs

If you've ever had a caffeine sensitivity problem, you will know the feeling of absolute inner chaos that goes with drinking a can of the latest caffeine infused energy drinks, or even a single cup of hot, frothy cappuccino.

Increased heart rate, sweating, nervousness, confusion and blurred vision are common place for anyone who suffers from intolerance of anything containing this substance. Forgetting yourself and indulging in a chocolate bar can evolve into hours of extremely unpleasant side effects afterwards.

Like anything else, there are pros and cons to consuming caffeine. Studies show that memory can be improved, whilst others claim it is entirely possible that the risk of getting Alzheimer's Disease of lowered if you regularly consume caffeine.The jury is still hung on most of these studies.

On the downside, the nervous system can become overly stimulated to a point where it simply cannot slow down, which causes untold stress in some people. In simple terms, modulators in the brain which would otherwise have stopped the nervous system from becoming overly excited, are no longer able to protect it. Heavy intake of caffeine is able to bypass and disrupt these normal defense mechanisms which prevent this from happening.

It is said that approximately 70% of the American population is addicted to consuming caffeine. These figures are not concrete, however there is cause for alarm when considering the fact that an increasingly high volume of calls to poison control centers come from people who have ingested large quantities of caffeine loaded products. Teens are the subject of the highest number of calls to such centers. If you suffer from Panic attacks or depression, caffeine should be first and foremost on your list of products to be thrown out of your diet. Caffeine can bring on a Panic Attack in just minutes; these are very distressing and can last for many hours.

Aside from the buzz, be it positive or negative; caffeine is also said to be detrimental to bone density, blood sugar levels and the onset of hypertension and high blood pressure. Not to mention heart disease and the increased risk of stroke which can follow.

Is that next cup of coffee, energy drink or candy bar really worth risking your health?

Some say that the conversion to decaffeinated products is not an option for them. However, it is known that for change to take place, one must be subjected to it at least 7 times for it to be accepted. Why not give it a try?

Persist and make the change to an alternative product so you can have that healthy mind and body. You can do it!