Find out more about useful and harmful properties caffeine and find unexpected answers to your questions.

Caffeine- a psychoactive stimulant that is found in coffee, tea, sweet and energy drinks and, in smaller quantities, chocolate. And although we have long been completely in love with these products, lately they have been surrounded by a vague rumble of disapproval: is caffeine good or bad for your health?

Effect of caffeine on the body

1. Hormones: The effects of caffeine on the body are felt within a few minutes of consumption and last for many hours - on average four to six hours. Once in the body, caffeine affects the following hormones:
2. Adenosine: Caffeine can interfere with the absorption of adenosine, which is a calming hormone in the body, which initially helps to sharpen alertness, but can later cause sleep disturbances and insomnia.
3. Adrenalin: Adrenaline enters the body along with caffeine, which provides a temporary surge of energy, which after a while is replaced by a loss of strength and apathy. If you increase your caffeine dose to reduce this effect, you end up feeling restless during the day and unable to calm down and fall asleep at night.
4. Cortisol: Caffeine increases the level of cortisol (the “stress hormone”) in the body, which can stimulate the development of a number of undesirable consequences: from weight gain and bad mood to heart disease and diabetes.
5. Dopamine: Caffeine increases dopamine levels in the body, i.e. has an effect comparable to that of amphetamines, after taking which a short-term feeling of euphoria appears, which is quickly replaced by apathy or depression. Sudden changes in dopamine levels can lead to physical dependence.

The changes that caffeine causes in our physiology can have both positive and negative effects:
Dream: Caffeine may affect sleep by reducing sleepiness and thereby reducing hours of sleep. Consequently, there is less time left for the recovery the body needs, which affects readiness for the next day and overall health.

Surprisingly, caffeine does not affect sleep stages like other stimulants, so it is better to consume caffeine than energy drinks and other stimulants when you need to ward off sleep.

Weight: Many experts believe that increased cortisol levels increase cravings for fats and carbohydrates, which leads to the formation of fat deposits (abdominal fat carries more health risks than other types of fat deposits). In addition, increased cortisol levels increase cravings for foods high in caffeine, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break out of.

The good news is that caffeine can speed up your metabolism. In addition, it increases the efficiency of fat breakdown by approximately 30% if consumed before exercise (but to evaluate this useful property caffeine you need to exercise). In addition, caffeine keeps blood sugar levels high, which reduces hunger.

Fitness: If caffeine temporarily increases levels of cortisol and other hormones, then after this effect wears off, you feel low energy, fatigue and even depression. This can make it difficult to exercise.

Positive effect: Scientists have found that caffeine in moderation increases physical endurance and workout performance. This, combined with the fat-burning effects of exercise, can really enhance the effectiveness of your fitness routine and allow you to get into shape faster if you consume caffeine at the right time.

Caffeine and stress

Because caffeine and stress can increase cortisol levels, high caffeine consumption (or stress) can lead to negative health effects associated with long-term increases in cortisol levels. When we consume a large amount of caffeine, we feel a surge of energy, our mood sharply improves, drowsiness disappears, but at the same time there is a desire to increase the dose in order to add this pleasant feeling, which only leads to increased stress. However, consuming caffeine in small and moderate amounts has virtually no negative consequences, improves your mood and provides a surge of energy.

Caffeine: pros and cons

Considering the possible negative and positive health effects, caffeine can be a friend for us, if, of course, we do not abuse its “friendship”.

Here's what to remember about caffeine:

1. Do not consume caffeine in large quantities. Due to the health risks (see above) and the potential for physical dependence, it is recommended to limit caffeine consumption to 2 cups of coffee per day (symptoms during abstinence: cravings, headaches, fatigue and muscle pain).
2. Do not consume caffeine after 2:00 pm. Healthy, sound sleep is very important for normal functioning of the body, and caffeine can remain in the body for 8 hours or longer, so it is recommended to avoid or limit caffeine consumption in the afternoon to avoid sleep disturbances.
3. Combine caffeine with fitness. Caffeine is better absorbed before fitness - it improves the effectiveness of training and the positive effect of sports.

Caffeine is a very controversial substance. It is a natural alkaloid with a mild narcotic effect. Opinions about its effect on the body are quite contradictory. Its stimulant properties were known as early as the fourth century AD in Ethiopia. Green tea has been consumed in China for thousands of years for its psychoactive effects. In the Middle East, since the 15th century, Sufis have been drinking a highly caffeinated drink during multi-day prayers to keep them awake. In the modern world, caffeine-containing products are ubiquitous: carbonated drinks, coffee, tea and various energy drinks.

1. IN cocoa powder the proportion of caffeine is up to 200 mg per 100 g in dry form.

   For a cup of brewed drink there will be only 8-12 mg of the substance. But cocoa contains a substance called theobromine. In terms of its properties and action, it is almost identical to caffeine, but it causes much less harm. When this drink is brewed correctly, the alkaloid is practically not felt, but a cheerful state of health is guaranteed.

2. Chocolate It can also lift your mood due to the stimulating effect of the alkaloid.

   

   

   

   It is made from cocoa powder, which means chocolate is a caffeine-containing product. Due to the concentration of cocoa up to 95-100% in dark chocolate, there is 90 mg of caffeine per 100 g of product. In milk chocolate this figure is much lower - 15-20 mg. It is worth noting that white chocolate does not have the properties of dark or bitter; it does not contain cocoa powder.

3. Another high caffeine stimulant is tea.

   

   

   Depending on the intensity of leaf processing, it can be black or green. Long fermentation produces black tea. Due to longer oxidation, the caffeine content increases. When brewing an average cup of black tea, its level reaches almost 65-70 mg, while in green tea the same volume accounts for only up to 45 mg of the alkaloid. The antioxidant properties of the drink do not depend on whether it is black or green. But if you need to achieve an invigorating result, preference should be given to black.

4. The richest caffeine drink is coffee. A freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning will give you between 100 and 210 mg of caffeine, depending on the type of coffee. Robusta is the most enriched species. Arabica is several times inferior to it in terms of alkaloid content in its composition.

What other plants contain caffeine?

Is there caffeine in energy drinks?

In the new millennium, it has become fashionable to stay energized by drinking caffeinated energy drinks. This is carbonated water, which contains caffeine and taurine itself, the most famous representative is Coca-Cola.

The amount of alkaloid in energy drinks can reach up to 100 mg per standard volume of container provided. The action of these drinks is aimed at inhibiting the production of a hormone that is responsible for signaling the brain about the need to rest, and a large number of sugar provides the release of additional energy. Thus, increased doses of stimulants lead to a short-term tonic effect. Frequent consumption of such drinks can cause irreparable harm to the body.

Drinking tonic drinks and chocolate can give a unique invigorating effect and good mood. But it is worth considering all the characteristics of your body and possible negative consequences. Do not ignore doctors’ recommendations and exceed the permissible dosage. It would be reasonable to consider analogues of drinks that do not harm the body. If it is not possible to replace coffee or tea in your diet with a safer drink, you can reduce the level of stress on the heart and nervous system by reducing their concentration and strength. You can protect yourself by diluting tea or coffee with milk or cream, which significantly weakens the effect of caffeine.

For convenience, here is a list of caffeine content in products:

1. Can of energy drink (250 ml) - from 80 mg
2. A glass of black tea (220 ml) - 50 mg
3. Filter coffee (200 ml) - 90 mg
4. Cup of espresso coffee (60 ml) - 80 mg
5. Standard can of cola (355 ml) - 40 mg
6. Dark chocolate bar (100 g) - 50 mg
7. Milk chocolate bar (100 g) - 20 mg

Which foods contain caffeine, and where is there more of it?

The most common psychoactive substance in the world, caffeine, enjoys unprecedented popularity as a stimulant drink in the form of coffee, tea and a variety of “energy drinks.”

Even drinks aimed at youth, such as Coca-Cola, contain moderate levels of caffeine - but even that amount is enough to raise concerns among health officials.

Consumed caffeine becomes a drug, and as a result leads to addiction. Do you think it's really beneficial to drink a few cups of coffee in the morning and then drink other caffeinated drinks throughout the day?

It's difficult to say for sure the long-term effects of chronic caffeine consumption, but one thing is clear: society as a whole seems to be addicted to the world's most preferred drug and its energizing effects.

What is caffeine and a little history

It can be argued that caffeine, in addition to being the most popular stimulant all over the world, is also one of the first drugs of mass use. Beginning with the indigenous people of Ethiopia, coffee began to spread to the Middle East in the fourth century AD.

The Chinese began drinking tea thousands of years ago, and Sufis in Yemen used it in the form of coffee in the 15th century to help them stay awake during prayers.

One legend says that Bodhidharma, the 28th patriarch of Buddhism in India, while struggling with sleep while meditating, cut off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. The first tea leaves appeared at this place.

In the 16th century, coffee houses became widespread in Istanbul, Cairo and Mecca. A hundred years later, the first coffee shops opened in Europe. As one of the most common substances, especially in the form of drinks, caffeine appears to have accompanied civilizations during their development and prosperity.

The allure of caffeine, medically known as "trimethylxanthine"(xanthine alkaloid), is associated with the uplifting and stimulating effects it has on the brain, but we'll talk about that a little later. Although it is consumed in a variety of forms, many of which are palatable, pure caffeine is a white crystalline powder with a very bitter taste.

Before using it for commercial production, or selling it in pure form, caffeine comes from certain plants, such as:

a coffee tree

Guarana fruit

kola nut

cocoa

yerba mate

Because caffeine is a very potent central nervous system stimulant, it used medicinally to stimulate cardiac function and as a mild diuretic. However, as mentioned earlier, it is mainly used as a stimulant, which also improves concentration.

How does caffeine stimulate the body?

Caffeine stimulates the body by activating the sympathetic branch of the central nervous system (CNS), which results in increased heart rate, improved blood flow and blood pressure to muscles, release of glucose from the liver, and decreased blood flow to the skin and internal organs.

The human central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. This collection of billions of neurons is undoubtedly the most complex mechanism known. The central nervous system, along with the peripheral nervous system, represents the main “control point” that regulates all human physical activity.

Neurons of the central nervous system are responsible for consciousness and mental activity, while peripheral neural connections are responsible for skeletal muscles and internal organs. The central nervous system is stimulated by the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which is released by the pituitary gland, usually in response to a potential threat.

The pituitary gland is a small, round endocrine gland that attaches to the base of the spinal cord and consists of an anterior and posterior lobe.
The substances it secretes control other endocrine glands and affect growth, metabolism and reproductive function. It is also called the medullary appendage or pineal gland.

The effect, called “competitive inhibition,” is an interruption in the activity that regulates nerve conduction (by suppressing postsynaptic potentials) and occurs when caffeine, which is structurally very similar to the adenosine molecule, binds to surface adenosine receptors without actually activating them. Adenosine plays an important role during sleep and wakefulness. Caffeine, by attaching to adenosine receptors, prevents excessive accumulation of this substance in cells and, as a result, prevents it from performing its sleep-inducing function. Through this process, adrenaline is ultimately released and the central nervous system is stimulated.

Thus, caffeine does not act as an energy producer as such, but is a substance that interferes with one of the main processes through which the nervous system calms down.

Caffeine also has stimulant properties - it improves the ability to perform physical and mental work based on its previously described effects, as well as due to the action of its various metabolites: small molecules that serve as metabolic products for various biological functions.

The following are caffeine metabolites and their respective effects:
1. Theobromine: Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, acts as a vasodilator.
2. Theophylline: relaxes smooth muscles (primarily bronchioles) and increases heart rate.
3. Paraxanthine: an auxiliary substance involved in the process of lipolysis (the breakdown of fats to produce energy).

Application

1. To improve sports training results
Caffeine is widely used in the sports community as a stimulant. It is believed that he has positive influence on the body during training, in particular, it increases energy reserves, reaction time and activity, and also adds endurance. Experts believe that caffeine causes muscle cells to use more fat as an energy source than would be used under normal conditions.

Caffeine content per 200 ml of product

• Red Bull - 64 mg
• Burn - 64 mg
• Instant coffee - 30...150 mg
• Coffee "Americano" - 80...160 mg
• Coffee "Espresso" - 200...600 mg
• Black tea - 30...100 mg
• Green tea - 25...50 mg
• Coca-Cola - 20 mg
• Dark chocolate (100g) - 60 mg
• Milk chocolate (100g) - 20 mg

Thus, with the same glycogen reserves, the athlete will be able to train longer and more intensely.

This may be due, first of all, to one of the metabolites of caffeine - paraxanthine, and its ability to influence lipolysis (the breakdown of fats). The critical moment in glycogen saving occurs within the first 15-20 minutes physical exercise. At this stage, caffeine reduces the use of glycogen, i.e. extends it over a longer period.

It has also been proven that caffeine stimulates the brain, and, in turn, activates the sympathetic branch of the central nervous system, increasing sensitivity. As a result, the body becomes more adapted to the surrounding reality, and the reaction speeds up. For athletes this has obvious advantages. Endurance increases, reaction and movement speeds up, and attention improves.

The efficiency of the heart also improves as the brain receives more oxygen and nutrients. All this can help improve athletic performance.

It is believed that before training (15-20 minutes) two or three cups of coffee are enough, and it is even better to take this amount in tablet form, about 200 mg. However, everything is individual and depends on what a person wants to get as a result. Therefore, it is still better to determine the dosage individually.

2. To improve mental capabilities
Another benefit of caffeine is its ability to enhance the cognitive function of the brain. 75-150 mg of caffeine has been shown to increase neural activity in certain areas of the brain, which helps with simple intellectual tasks. Many people talk about positive results from taking caffeine before active mental activity, for example, before preparing for an exam. It is believed that caffeine supports memory. It is believed that drinking caffeine may help you remember important information because caffeine plays a role in releasing adrenaline (norepinephrine) in the brain, which in turn helps to recreate relevant moments from the past.

3. To improve your figure
To shed extra pounds, many turn to caffeine in its most common form, coffee, or use it as a supplement. The caffeine metabolite paraxanthine improves lipolysis (the breakdown of fats) during physical activity. Caffeine is also believed to suppress appetite. Caffeine is the key ingredient used in modern food additives for weight loss.

4. As a medicine
Caffeine is widely used as a pain reliever, primarily to treat headaches. As mentioned, caffeine has vasodilating properties, thereby helping to increase blood flow to the brain to relieve headaches.
Caffeine is also used to stimulate breathing in newborns with apnea (stopping breathing) due to premature birth or surgical intervention. In addition, caffeine can be used in cases where breathing is impaired (for example, after an overdose of heroin, other drugs or medications). Given the expanding impact on Airways, caffeine is also considered beneficial in treating asthma. However, according to some studies, the benefits are quite modest.

Is caffeine addictive?

Caffeine is a substance that works on the same principle as cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, which are used to provide additional energy through stimulation of the central nervous system. Although it is milder than any of these other stimulant drugs, caffeine is addictive for many people: Those who feel like they can't live without their morning coffee and/or those who need several cups of this drink throughout the day are probably addicted to it. The term was even coined "caffeineism" to explain caffeine abuse.

If a person is addicted to caffeine, then with a decrease in its use , the body becomes hypersensitive to a neurotransmitter in the brain called adenosine. It leads to rapid drop in blood pressure , and as a result, a lack of blood in the head with the corresponding symptoms - headache, weakness . This indicates caffeine addiction.

Lack of caffeine may occur within 12-24 hours after the last cup of coffee or other caffeine-containing products. In addition to the headache, symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, drowsiness, irritability and restlessness may occur. In the worst cases, depression and decreased motivation and concentration levels can occur.

Like many other drugs, caffeine has a habit effect: the more consumed, the more a person becomes desensitized to it. This decrease in sensitivity means that over time, more is needed to get the same effect. For those who want to enjoy the positive benefits of caffeine, there is one rule to remember: it is best to use it sporadically.

If you are into sports and want to use caffeine as a stimulant, then It’s best to stop using it 48 hours before a competition or workout. . Once the body has developed a caffeine habit (for those who drink at least three cups of coffee per day), it will have no noticeable effect.

How much caffeine can you consume without harming your health?

As mentioned, caffeine can be found in various products. Its quantity may vary significantly. For example, many popular drinks contain staggering amounts of caffeine compared to the average 200 ml cup of coffee, which contains about 100 mg of caffeine.

According to medical calculations, a safe single dose is 100-200 milligrams of caffeine , and per day no more than 1000 milligrams (1 gram).

Roughly speaking, 1–2 cups of coffee, drunk in the morning, healthy will not harm the person.

The period for removing caffeine from the body is usually 5-7 hours, for smokers - 3 hours, for a pregnant woman - 18-20 hours, for a newborn - 30 hours. These numbers are valid for healthy people.

The lethal dose depends on the person’s weight, individual sensitivity to caffeine: varies from 150 to 200 mg per 1 kg of weight . So, if you weigh 75 kg, then 15 g of caffeine is definitely lethal for you.

Let's sum it up

For many centuries, caffeine has been one of the most widely used drugs around the world for several reasons: firstly, it provides a stimulating effect, which often causes addiction to its use, secondly, it provides a person with physical and mental support, thirdly , it is found in many popular products and is finally used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes.

It is believed that caffeine addiction is so great that if it disappeared tomorrow, productivity worldwide would be reduced by 70%! In light of its popularity and the benefits listed, caffeine is very beneficial in moderation. Just know when to stop and enjoy its benefits!

Many people are biased towards coffee because it contains caffeine. But for some reason they drink tea in huge quantities, give it to small children and elderly people with heart disease, but it contains no less caffeine, and often more, than coffee drinks. Of course, this statement is true only with some reservations, since there cannot be a definite answer to the question of whether there is caffeine in tea, if so, how much, and how it differs from coffee. There are a huge number of types and varieties of tea, and they all have different compositions of elements. Let's look at all the nuances in more detail.

Where does caffeine come from in tea?

Confusion most often arises due to the similarity of the names “caffeine” and “coffee.” But it is just a natural element, a substance found in the leaves, stems and grains of plants to attract bees and repel harmful insects. Analogues of the name are “tein”, “matein”, “guaranine”, which are found, respectively, in tea plants, mate, guarana, as well as in cocoa, cola and others. Initially, scientists isolated theine and caffeine from different plants, then they came to the conclusion that these substances were identical, and over time, the word “caffeine” began to be used more often for all alkaloids from these plants. Although in tea it is essentially theine, which is very close to caffeine, but has some differences due to its combination with other elements.

• Tannins, tannins in tea, have an astringent taste, and chemically “bind” theine, slowing down the period of its absorption and interaction with the nervous and cardiac systems;
• Theine does not accumulate in the body, and unlike caffeine, it cannot cause a caffeine overdose. Of course, taking into account that you drink tea in reasonable doses and do not brew chifir;
• Tea leaves contain polyphenols, antioxidants that slow down the transformation of cells into cancer cells.

Is there caffeine in green tea?

Yes, as in almost all others. All drinks that are made from the leaves and buds of the tea bush contain caffeine in one way or another. It is found in white, green, yellow, red and black tea, oolong and pu-erh, and it is in green that it is most abundant. So those parents who give their kids green tea, are wrong: weakly brewed black is better. But drinking green to cheer yourself up is right, and its effect, although less dramatic than that of coffee, lasts longer and has fewer negative consequences for the body.

It is interesting to know that various additives and flavorings significantly reduce the amount of caffeine in a cup of tea. So, green with jasmine will have less caffeine than the same, but pure one.

Is there caffeine in white tea?

Surprisingly, yes. And depending on the variety, there can be either a lot or little of it, and you can’t tell it apart by taste. Soft, light and light tea “Silver Needles” contains maximum caffeine. But Shou Mei tea is similar in color to green, it is dark, with a rich taste, and there is almost no theine. Much depends on the brewing method.

Is there caffeine in decaffeinated tea?

Yes, some amount of caffeine still remains, but it is so small that it is not harmful to the body at all, unless you have an individual intolerance or allergy. In this case, you should choose “non-tea tea.” Ordinary people who just sometimes suffer from high blood pressure or have cardiovascular disease, the decaffeinated drink can be drunk in almost unlimited quantities - up to 10 cups per day. Moreover, theine is absorbed more slowly and will provide you with vigor without straining the cardiovascular system.

Which tea has no caffeine at all?

Anything that is not, in fact, tea, that is, produced from the leaves and buds of a tea bush. This includes hibiscus, herbal and fruit mixtures, drinks made from linden leaves, thyme, etc. Ivan tea (koporka), although it has this name, does not contain caffeine, because it is a herb and not a tea bush.

What affects the amount of caffeine in tea?

In living plants and buds and leaves collected from them, the caffeine content is mainly influenced by the location of the plantation. The amount of theine depends on how much sun the bushes receive. Interestingly, heat is not so important: on high mountain plantations the air is colder, and the buds grow more slowly, but at the same time they receive more sun. Since the weather and climate change slightly every year, usually the amount of theine in tea, even from the same brand, varies slightly, depending on the time and conditions of collection.

In the finished drink, the brewing method and the size of the tea leaves matter. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink tea from bags: the components are very small and quickly release the theine into the cup. The leaves need to be brewed longer. Also take into account the temperature of the water: we brew green leaves with slightly cooled water, and the extraction occurs more slowly, while black leaves are brewed with boiling water, and they open faster, releasing the active substances.

How to reduce the amount of theine in tea?

If you are sensitive to caffeine or theine, use these tips to continue enjoying your favorite beverage safely:

• Always discard the first infusion. A good product can be brewed several times, and with the first brew 75-85% of theine will be released;
• Don't use too much hot water for the second brew. Let it sit for a minute while the first brew takes place.
• Tannins and antioxidants neutralize the caffeine in a hot drink. If you let it cool, there will be no effect, so drink right away.

Conclusions:

1. Tea leaves and buds collected from a tea bush always contain caffeine, the only difference is in its quantity.
2. All drinks made from herbs, fruits, leaves, and even fireweed and hibiscus have no caffeine.
3. Tea caffeine is called theine, and its effect is milder, but longer lasting, it does not cause a rise in blood pressure and does not give an overdose.
4. Green tea has more theine than black tea.
5. You can reduce the amount of theine by drinking hot tea from the second brew, and also adding linden leaves, thyme, lemon and other ingredients to it.

Caffeine is a substance of plant origin, a purine alkaloid with psychostimulating and analeptic effects. It is usually found in coffee and tea, but can also be artificial (produced synthetically) and then added to food products.

It is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system and a diuretic (diuretics are diuretics that help the body get rid of fluids; agents that increase the excretion of water and salts in the urine, increase the rate of urine formation and reduce the fluid content in tissues and serous cavities).

Caffeine stimulates or excites the human brain and nervous system. This does not reduce the effects of alcohol, although many people mistakenly think that a cup of coffee will help a person sober up. Caffeine can be used to relieve fatigue or drowsiness in the short term.

Caffeine is quickly absorbed by the body and quickly passes into the brain. Caffeine does not accumulate in the blood, but remains in the body for a long time, leaving it through urine many hours after consumption.

The human body has no nutritional requirement for caffeine, so it can be avoided in the diet.

Cup of coffee (150 ml): 80 – 120 mg caffeine;
- A cup of black tea (150 ml): 20 – 40 mg of caffeine;
- Cup of espresso (30 ml): 40 mg of caffeine;
- Cup of cocoa (150 ml): 6 mg caffeine;
- Glass of cola (150 ml): 15 - 35 mg of caffeine;
- Energy drink (150 ml): 48 mg caffeine;
- Chocolate bar (100 g): depending on the type of chocolate – 15 mg (milk chocolate) and 90 mg (dark chocolate);
- Caffeine tablets (piece): depending on the dosage - from 50 to 200 mg of caffeine.

Products labeled “caffeine-free” still contain it, but in reduced quantities.

Benefits of caffeine

Increases mental and physical performance, stimulates mental activity, motor activity, shortens reaction time, temporarily reduces fatigue and drowsiness;
- Speeds up and deepens breathing, promoting the expansion of the bronchi;
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis;
- Has an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscles, having a bronchodilator effect, and has a stimulating effect on striated muscles;
- Increases the secretory activity of the stomach;
- Reduces the risk of developing diabetes;
- Improves metabolism and metabolic processes such as glycogenolysis and lipolysis.

Food sources caffeine

Caffeine is found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 60 plants, including:

Leaf tea;
- nut cola;
- coffee;
- cocoa beans;
- chocolate;
- almost any cola (unless it is labeled “decaffeinated”).

Caffeine is often added to medications such as painkillers, diet pills, and cold medicines. Caffeine has no taste and can be removed from food using chemical process, called "decaffeination".

Side effects caffeine

Caffeine can lead to the following negative effects on the body:

Increased heart rate;
- anxiety;
- depression;
- problems with sleep;
- nausea;
- excitement;
- trembling;
- vomit;
- frequent urination;
- constant use of caffeine is addictive:
- reduces the absorption of calcium by the body.

Abruptly stopping caffeine use may cause withdrawal symptoms (withdrawal from hysteria, fear, neurosis, or obsessive states in the process of psychoanalytic therapy; volitional voluntary refusal of something, suppression of certain inclinations within oneself for a period of time or throughout one’s life).

Reduce caffeine gradually to prevent any withdrawal symptoms.

Effects of caffeine on health

Large amounts of caffeine can reduce a person's bone mass density and will likely interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium. This can lead to osteoporosis (a chronically progressive systemic metabolic disease of the skeleton, a clinical syndrome manifested in other diseases. Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone density, increased fragility, disruption of microarchitecture and, due to metabolic disorders bone tissue, decreased bone strength and increased risk of fractures).

Caffeine can cause or worsen painful sensations and lumps in the breasts (mastopathy or fibrocystic disease, fibroadenomatosis - a benign disease of the mammary glands associated with an imbalance of hormones).
Caffeine can have a negative impact on a child's nutrition if caffeinated drinks replace healthy drinks such as milk. A child who consumes caffeine may also eat less because caffeine reduces appetite.

Caffeine is strictly contraindicated in cases of increased excitability, insomnia, severe hypertension and atherosclerosis, with organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, in old age, and with glaucoma. Taking caffeine accelerates the growth of cysts in patients with polycystic disease.

Moderate consumption of tea or coffee does not have a noticeable negative effect on health, as long as the person does not violate healthy image life.

About 250 milligrams of caffeine per day or 5 servings (glasses, mugs) of soft drinks or tea is considered a moderate to moderate amount of caffeine. More than 250 milligrams of caffeine per day per day is considered excessive caffeine consumption.

People who may want to avoid caffeine or only drink small amounts of it include:

People prone to stress, anxiety or sleep problems;
- women with painful lumps in the breast (mastopathy, or fibrocystic disease, fibroadenomatosis);
- people with acid reflux (or gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD - a chronic recurrent disease);
- people with high blood pressure that cannot be treated;
- people who have problems with heart rate and heart rhythm;
- people with chronic headaches.

Pay close attention to how much caffeine your child gets. Although caffeine is safe in moderation, it is a stimulant. A hyperactive child may not need to be given caffeine.
Small amounts of caffeine are safe during pregnancy, but consuming large amounts is strongly discouraged.

Caffeine, like alcohol, passes through the bloodstream to the placenta and can have negative effects on babies. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it increases heart rate (heart rate, pulse) and metabolism (metabolism - a set of chemical reactions that occur in a living body to maintain its life. Metabolism helps the body grow, reproduce, respond to the environment and heal damage. Processes , which allow the body to grow and reproduce, maintain structure and respond to environmental influences. Metabolism is usually divided into two stages: catabolism, during which complex organic substances are degraded to simple ones, and anabolism, in the processes of which proteins, sugars, and sugars are synthesized using energy. lipids and nucleic acids). Both directly affect the child’s health. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid caffeine during pregnancy.

It's normal to drink one or two cups of coffee, tea or cola a week, but it's best to avoid them completely if possible.
Many drugs interact with caffeine. If you are taking medications, we advise you to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions with caffeine so that the combination of both does not harm your health.