Condensed Coffee Cognition (get to Know Your Caffeine)

How many times have you been told to abandon coffee in favor of a warm cup of tea? The apparent delicacy of tisanes frequently leads us to believe that the caffeine ingredient contained in a tea brew is barely noticeable, and that it is shrinkable under the beneficial effects of a cuppa. Wrong! Coffee naturally contains more caffeine than tea; however, the compounds contained in tea may have a stronger effect.

Surprising? Here's why:

Chemically speaking, caffeine is an alkaloid. While coffee is based on caffeine, tea also contains a slightly different compound that seems to have a stronger effect. The presence of another alkaloid in tea explains why this sometimes has a stronger kick than coffee, while coffee seems more lasting for mental alertness and offers fewer jitters than the others do.

Technically speaking, let's analyze the various alkaloids:

Caffeine sources: Coffee, tea, cola nuts, mate, guarana.
Effects: stimulant of central nervous system, cardiac muscle, and respiratory system, diuretic delays fatigue.

Theophylline source: Tea.
Effects: cardiac stimulant, smooth muscle relaxant, diuretic, and vasodilator.

Theobromine sources: Principle alkaloid of the cocoa bean, cola nuts and Tea. Feel better? I honestly experienced a major mood boost after researching these facts. I was finally able to confront those who criticized my coffee addiction with a smug, know-it-all look. Try it at home!

*Pros and cons of coffee intake:

Smile. It's not as bad as you were told.Health warnings have contributed to the decrease of caffeine intake in some countries. Nonetheless, research proves that while coffee and caffeine have been linked to many illnesses, it is difficult to find definitive correlation to these.Caffeine dependence and addiction are common, but trials showing coffee's association with cardiac attacks and coronary disease have many confounding variables.And, contrary to popular belief, at present there is no convincing evidence that caffeine or coffee consumption increases the risk for any solid tumor.