Caffeine and its Effect on the Body
Caffeine is a substance that is chemical in nature and naturally found in many leaves of plants. For instance, most edible plants contain Caffeine. However, coffee and tea leaves form the greatest component of the caffeine found in plants. It is a stimulant. Therefore, it keeps people active and removes fatigue. Whereas some people use it as medicine, other people completely abuse it. As a result of this, caffeine is regulated and is in the list of the FDA, even though it is considered less harmful. In addition, it is a requirement that when caffeine component is used in the preparation of any food substance, it must be indicated as an ingredient. It is mostly common with people that have busy schedule, and need to be active most of the time. Addiction of the same occurs just as it does in other substances as a result of prolonged use (Victor 18).
The use of caffeine started long time ago in many parts of the world. For instance, some people believe that the utilization of the same started in Ethiopia where it was first seen. Therefore, it is believed that the first people to use the same are the Muslims. This assertion is justified by the allegation that it got its name from an Arabic word. Qahweh is the Arabic name that the word caffeine was derived from. The history of the product is long with the Turks on record that they controlled most of the caffeine for an extended time. Caffeine is mainly consumed in the drinks; however, it is also consumed in other different forms like drugs and medicine, and even in other food substances, which have been prepared using the same. Even though, the use of caffeine has been the way of life for some time, there has always been a general outcry concerning its effects on the body, and potential harm it poses to the health of a human being (Stoker 14).
A number of studies reveal that excess use of caffeine coupled with large amounts of sugar content pose serious dangers to the health of the body organs like the heart. In addition, the same is also a major source of dehydration. However, more follow-ups in the same have insignificantly confirmed the assertions. Nevertheless, the controversy surrounding the use of it has not ceased. For example, in November, the year 2010, the U.S (FDA) Food and Drugs Administration warned certain alcohol companies over the use of caffeine, as it was deemed unsafe food additive. There has been a growing concern over its misuse. For instance, some body builders use the same as a booster while other people that want to reduce their weights also use it. As a result of the continuing abuse of caffeine, there has been a general concern to remove the caffeine from the list of safe substances and foods (Victor 24).
By chemical composition, caffeine contains methylxanthine, which is the common stimulant in most of the species. Other substances are theophylline and theobromine found in tealeaves and cacao plants respectively. Even though the use of the same is synonymous with many people, it however poses serious health effects. Therefore, excessive and prolonged usage of it is harmful to the body. Whereas other people find pleasure in the use of the caffeine, some people get gastrointestinal tract irritation as they consume caffeine components. Therefore, most patients with ulcers are always advised against the use of caffeine itself, and other foodstuffs that contain the component of caffeine substance. However, a close follow-up study has not found patients with ulcers getting relief even after stopping the use of the caffeine products. Therefore, it is not clear whether the assertion that irritation in ulcer patients are as a result of the use of the same (Page et al 21).
However, the use of the caffeine substance has been found to be impairing the heart. For instance, irregular heartbeat is associated with the use of the same. Several cardiac arrest cases have been reported to be caused by the excess use of the caffeine. However, other health disorders like the increased anxiety are reported among the users of the same substance. For instance, it is evident that people that consume eight cups of the caffeine in tea or coffee are likely to be more anxious than others that have taken little or no amount of the product. In extreme cases, the use of the caffeine is also known to cause convulsion in most users of the caffeine. Diabetes can also be provoked by the use of the same. It is reported that the use of caffeine in extreme doses can be fatal, and can lead to death, especially if it is directly administered in the blood stream. Other effects of the use of the same substance include miscarriages in pregnant women (Stephen 20).
Therefore, doctors have advised pregnant women to cut the use of caffeine during pregnancy entirely. In conclusion, the use of caffeine is synonymous with many people across the globe. For instance, whereas some people consume it knowingly, others consume the product unknowingly in coffee and tea. However, what is of great concern in the use of the same substance is the health effect it has on the body. For instance, excess use of the same is associated with health problems like those touching on the heart among other complications (Louise 47).
Works Cited
Burke, Louise. Caffeine for Sports Performance. , 2013. Print.
Cherniske, Stephen S. Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America’s #1 Drug. , 1998. Internet resource.
Page, Melvin E, and H L. Abrams. Your Body Is Your Best Doctor. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2001. Print.
Preedy, Victor R. Caffeine: Chemistry, Analysis, Function and Effects. Cambridge, U.K: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2012. Print.
Stoker, H S. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry. Australia: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.