Caffeine- Rich Energy Drinks

962 Words4 Pages
Many Americans consume caffeine everyday without any idea how it could effect them. In small doses caffeine is usually not harmful, and actually acts as a useful stimulant. However, in larger doses caffeine can be very harmful to your body and to your mind. Around 80 percent of Americans are dependent on caffeine, but very few of those people know what it’s doing to them. Caffeine is defined as: the alkaline compound C8H10N4O2. It can be found naturally in over 60 plants; primarily it is found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa nuts. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, so many people use it to help them wake up in the mornings. People who are dependent on caffeine may experience headaches if they try to go a day without it. Caffeine is a natural substance, and is used in many of the foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis. Caffeine is a fast acting stimulant; it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and the small intestine, and it’s effects can be felt as soon as 15 minutes after absorption. Caffeine is entirely absorbed within 45 minutes of entering the body. While caffeine is absorbed quickly it has a half-life of 6 hours on the average adult. Another thing many people don’t realize is that if they have one cup of coffee in the morning, and then one every 2 hours afterwards the original caffeine isn’t out of their bloodstream yet. At different consumption levels, caffeine affects us in different ways. If you have 100 mg of caffeine you will feel more alert. At 200-300 mg you are more alert, have some jitters, and have a faster heart beat. At 400-500 mg of caffeine you can have: insomnia, nervousness, irritability, upset stomach, elevated heart beat, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors. At 800 mg of caffeine you might have: Muscle tension and shaking, tachycardia, sensory disturbances, mild delirium and anxiety attacks. If you consume

More about Caffeine- Rich Energy Drinks

Open Document