Health Effects of Caffeine - Anoush Nathwani

Health Effects of Caffeine

Anoush Nathwani

1.Introduction Many of us drink caffeine everyday, sometimes without even realising it. This is because consuming caffeine has become a habitual routine that we are accustomed to. We believe that it would be beneficial to investigate the true effects of caffeine so that you can build a better understanding of the harms and benefits. This essay shall analyse the health effects of caffeine on the human body. 2. Sleep Deprivation One of the most common things that you will have heard since a young age, is that you should not drink coffee because it will keep you awake at night. To what extent is this true, or is it a complete misconception? This section of the essay will cover the effects of caffeine on our sleep, and the links to insomnia. According to PubMed Central, caffeine is commonly consumed to help offset fatigue, however, it can have several negative effects on sleep quality and quantity. For example, in a study conducted in the University of South Australia (Watson, Coates, Kohler and Banks, n.d.), participants who reported poor sleep (PSQI global score ≥ 5) consumed 192.1 ± 122.5 mg of caffeine which was significantly more than those who reported good sleep quality. The data suggests that shorter sleep is associated with greater caffeine consumption, and that consumption is greater in adults with reduced sleep quality. So, higher caffeine intake appears to increase the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. It may also decrease total sleeping time, particularly for those who are older. It is clear that caffeine can worsen not only the quality of our sleep, but also the quantity.

On the other hand, some data suggests quite the opposite. It has been made clear that caffeine blocks the effects of Adenosine, according to Amerisleep (Limen, 2020). When you drink coffee, your stomach and small intestine absorbs the caffeine and redistributes it through your bloodstream to multiple parts of your body, such as your brain. After the caffeine reaches your brain, it sticks to your adenosine receptors. Adenosine helps you feel sleepy and controls your sleepwake cycle. When caffeine binds to your adenosine receptors, your brain isn’t processing its adenosine, however that doesn’t necessarily mean it stops producing it. Once the caffeine wears off, there’s a build-up of adenosine that will bind to your brain’s receptors, making you feel tired.

3. Dependency As the above diagram shows, 44% of Americans drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day. Studies have demonstrated that people take in a minimum of 100 mg of caffeine per day (Wikipedia Contributors, 2021). This means that 44% of Americans consume approximately 200-300mg of caffeine in a day. Caffeine dependency is soaring as more people rely on caffeinated drinks to heighten alertness and reduce headaches. Caffeine dependency may also be increasing due to the increase in mainstream consumption among teenagers and young adults. Some symptoms

of increased caffeine dependency are dizziness, feeling shaky, headaches, increased blood pressure, heartbeat abnormalities and sleep issues (verywell, 2021). Work addiction works in tandem with caffeine addiction because many rely on this stimulant’s energising effects to increase their performance at their job (ibid). Consuming caffeine causes chemical changes in the brain that lead to the alertness that people crave and have difficulty withdrawing from (Addiction Center, 2020). While caffeine dependency is not categorized as a substance abuse disorder like drug abuse, caffeine withdrawal comes with a multitude of symptoms such as fatigue, decreased alertness, irritability and general discontent (Chaunie Brusie, 2017).

(Statcdn.com, 2021) feeling shaky, headaches, increased blood pressure, heartbeat abnormalities and sleep issues (verywell, 2021). Work addiction works in tandem with caffeine addiction because many rely on this stimulant’s energising effects to increase their performance at their job (ibid). Consuming caffeine causes chemical changes in the brain that lead to the alertness that people crave and have difficulty withdrawing from (Addiction Center, 2020). While caffeine dependency is not categorized as a substance abuse disorder like drug abuse, caffeine withdrawal comes with a multitude of symptoms such as fatigue, decreased alertness, irritability and general discontent (Chaunie Brusie, 2017).

As the above diagram shows, 44% of Americans drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day. Studies have demonstrated that people take in a minimum of 100 mg of caffeine per day (Wikipedia Contributors, 2021). This means that 44% of Americans consume approximately 200-300mg of caffeine in a day. Caffeine dependency is soaring as more people rely on caffeinated drinks to heighten alertness and reduce headaches. Caffeine dependency may also be increasing due to the increase in mainstream consumption among teenagers and young adults. Some symptoms of increased caffeine dependency are dizziness,

4. Effects of caffeine on the central

nervous system

80% of the adults of the US population consume caffeine on a daily basis, yet what many may not know is that it is a central nervous system stimulant - as well as the most widely consumed - which has countless affects on your body. (Natalie Olsen, 2018) Contrasted with the widely believed myth that it’s sole purpose is to keep you awake, the diagram below outlines some of its symptoms as well as long-term effects.

Caffeine is considered to be a psychostimulant, which can lead to serious health issues if consumption is not monitored regularly, as it has proven to have the same central effects as cocaine and amphetamine; classical psychostimulants. A psychostimulant addiction is a recurring brain disease in which compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behaviors persist despite serious negative consequences. (J. -X. Li, 2017) According to research done by Sergi Ferre since the early 1990s on the mechanism of action of caffeine on the central nervous

system, caffeine increases motor activity and although its reinforcing effects are not as strong as those of the classical psychostimulants, it has both arousal and reinforcing effects, however its mechanism of action is different.

5. Effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular

system

Studies have shown that caffeine has a visible effect on the cardiovascular system. The stimulatory effects of caffeine intake may cause the heart to beat faster, increase blood pressure or lead to the development of arrhythmia (problems with the heart rhythm). Research has clearly indicated that the physiological effects of caffeine in relation to the cardiovascular system are a result of its ability to stimulate the nervous system, according to Gonzaga et al (2017). Caffeine is known for its structural similarity to adenosine receptors, acting as an antagonistic blocker. When caffeine blockades these adenosine receptors, autonomous nervous system activity is increased, inducing tachycardia and increased blood pressure.

According to Turnbull et al (2017), existing literature suggests that moderate caffeine intake (400-600 mg per day) is not associated with increased risks of heart conditions such as cardiovascular disease and arrhythmia. Populations who are at risk for hypertension may be more sensitive to some effects of caffeine. It is not possible to identify the point at which caffeine intake may cause harm to the cardiovascular system however, as data on the effects of daily intakes greater than 600mg is currently limited. Caffeine seemingly blocks a hormone produced by the body to keep the arteries wide open, narrowing blood vessels and raising blood pressure. Caffeine intake could cause blood vessels supplying blood to the brain to narrow by as much as 27%, impairing mental ability.

6. Conclusion To conclude, this essay has explored both the positive and negative effects of caffeine on the human body and mind, ranging from sleep deprivation, addiction and its effects on the central nervous system alongside the cardiovascular system.