What is Caffeine and How Does Our Mass Consumption of it Effect Us?

In a world on the go where there is a Starbucks at every corner of every city, you can get your fix of the cheapest and "most used drug." Today it seems to me that caffeine is not only the most used but also most abused. With no age required to use it, it seems like everyone is using from children to elders. Markets that specialize in caffeine delivering products are growing every year, making millions of dollars.

Caffeine is produced artificially and is also derived from many different types of plant seeds and leaves. It is most commonly found in coffee beans, chocolate beans, energy drinks, soft drinks, and over- the counter pills for dieting and some asthma medications. Caffeine's bitter taste it hidden through a variety of artificial flavors.

Caffeine is classified as a drug because of how it stimulates the central nervous system, resulting in increased heart beat, respiration. Caffeine is commonly used to increase stamina, energy, and increase alertness. Caffeine has also been known to decrease depression and reduce boredom. Other effect's is that it may cause easy persuasion to change your mind. It is commonly used to aid headaches and body aches.

Recently I saw a program on television that preached the health problems involved with caffeine abuse. I began thinking of how much caffeine I most likely consume annually, and wondered how it may be affecting me. Every time I hear something used on a regular basis has just been proven harmful to your health I think "of coarse it's harmful for you, what isn't." The truth is everything you do is harmful when you do it enough. You may eat too much of something or in other cases drink too much.

"Although with caffeine you can get your fix through both eating and drinking, which is my first reason why I feel caffeine is so easily abused."

There are many short-term effects associated with caffeine consumption. After consumed it only takes five minutes for the caffeine to get in your blood system and another twenty-five minutes the caffeine climaxes in your blood system. The caffeine then raises your body temperature and breathing patterns, along with increased urination. Caffeine also effects people differently; factors that would change the effects would include age, tolerance, and possibly any pre-existing diseases. Other positive effects of caffeine include quick fatigue relief and have been known to increase operation of small intellectual tasks.(Pendergrast)

Caffeine's most notable side effects occur during overdosing. Overdosing occurs for an average person when they consume more the 650 milligrams. 650 milligrams might sound like a lot but one cup of coffee alone has 115 milligrams and a mountain dew has 55 milligrams. So after six cups you might have already reached toxic levels. (Pennington) Side effects caused by overdosing include persistent anxiety, depression, chronic insomnia, and stomach ulcers. People with heart disease who take caffeine on a regular basis are more prone to heart attaches and stroke. Caffeine although there have been no connections made has been suspected of causing heart disease.(everything)

Although moderation is a key way to not fall accustomed to high consumption of caffeine products, the easiest way is not to start using caffeine, but discover other ways to have enhanced energy throughout the day. Ways to have a day full of energy are easy as anything else is the only guideline is discipline. Discipline includes making sure you are in bed by a reasonable time to get enough sleep. Eat healthy, by following the food pyramid to the best of your ability by consuming plenty of brain foods such as proteins and electrolytes. Eating a well-balanced breakfast is the most important part of the diet, although instead of eating three meals a day, you can achieve maximum energy by consuming three smaller meals. Your intake of water is also as important as eating correctly; it's a simple fact that water is important for clear decisive thinking. Daily exercise is also very important to achieving enhanced energy, twenty minutes of cardio a day is enough to not only increase your endurance, but possibly your life-span.( Black)

All admit that sometimes even I have abused caffeine; drinking cups of coffee, espresso, and red bull in combination with one another. I have even taken caffeine pills such as NoDoze to keep myself awake in order to study diligently or compete in athletic activities. I even drank coffee while working on this paper. I have no problem with caffeine but I would recommend consumption only through moderation.

Without any guidelines towards the distribution of caffeine delivery products, it seems almost impossible to persuade the youth of our populations not to consume anyone of the many desirable products like the thousands of energy drink and soft drink products marketed through television, movies, radios, billboards, and webpage pop-ups. It is up to the parents to teach there children how to eat healthy, but they only would be hypocritical as long as they continue to consume there two to three cups of coffee a day.

Bibliography
"Everything You Need to Know About Caffeine." International Food Information Council. July 1998. 1 April 2007.

Black, Jessica Donze. "Caffeine Confusion." Kids Health. July 2004. 2 April 2007.

Pendergrast, M., "Uncommon Grounds." The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World. New York: Basic Books. 1999.

Pennington, J.A.T., "Food Values of Portions Commonly Used."(18th Edition).J.B. Lippincott. Philadelphia. 2005.