5 Benefits of Caffeine and Its Effects on Health
You may be familiar with caffeine because of its presence in your favorite coffee. But did you know that tea, chocolate, and soda are also sources of caffeine? Caffeine consumption increases with coffee and tea consumption, making caffeine an interesting object of research. Much research has been done to find out what effects caffeine has on health.
What is caffeine?
Trimethylxanthine or caffeine, is a stimulant compound that occurs naturally in several types of food. It is not uncommon for caffeine to be said to be the equivalent of amphetamines, cocaine, and even heroin. This is because caffeine and these types of drugs work in the same way, namely to stimulate the work of the brain. In its original form, caffeine is a white crystalline powder that tastes very bitter. In the medical world, caffeine can function to stimulate the work of the heart and can increase urine production or is a diuretic.
Where is caffeine found?
Coffee, tea, and chocolate are plants that naturally contain caffeine. But then caffeine was included in sodas, energy drinks, and even chewing gum. Some medications, such as diet drugs and laxatives, can also contain caffeine. Caffeine treated with potassium and sodium can also act as a drug to aid in the breathing process in premature babies. Children who have difficulty breathing after certain surgeries can also use medications that contain caffeine.
How does caffeine work in the body?
Caffeine is a compound that works by stimulating the central nervous system. After consumption, caffeine will be absorbed from the blood to the body’s tissues. The highest concentration of caffeine in plasma is 15-120 minutes after the caffeine is digested by the body. The work of caffeine is related to the action of adenosine, a compound that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and can bind to receptors in the brain. Under normal conditions, adenosine helps the sleep process and suppresses the activity of the nervous system. Adenosine can also dilate blood vessels in the brain so that the brain can absorb a lot of oxygen while sleeping.
In our body, the nervous system sees caffeine as similar to adenosine so that caffeine will then bind to adenosine receptors in the brain. But caffeine works in contrast to adenosine. Caffeine will use up all the adenosine receptors in the brain so that our body cells can no longer detect adenosine. As a result, the work of the body’s cells will become more active because there is no relaxing adenosine. This makes the brain interpret the danger to the body so that it triggers the production of adrenaline, a hormone that works in a mechanism “fight or flight “.
Health benefits of caffeine
1. Lose weight
Caffeine can help with weight loss or prevent weight gain. This is because caffeine is able to suppress appetite and stimulate thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a body mechanism that works by converting food into heat and energy. Although it has not been fully proven, especially the effects of caffeine on long-term weight loss, many slimming products use caffeine as a component.
2. Improve sports performance
Caffeine is known to improve performance when doing endurance sports or endurance (such as a marathon). Consuming caffeine mixed with carbohydrates after exercise can help restore glycogen levels in muscles more quickly. In addition, caffeine can also relieve symptoms of muscle aches that usually appear after exercise by up to 48%. Although it has been proven to help improve performance during sports enduranceHowever, the effects of caffeine on high-intensity, short-term exercise (such as sprints or 400-meter sprints) are still not clear.
3. Prevent decreased brain function
Caffeine consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Several studies have linked a protective relationship between long-term caffeine consumption and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Other studies have also revealed that caffeine consumption can slow down the process of decline in brain function caused by advancing age.
4. Effects of caffeine on health
The effect of caffeine on each person can vary, depending on the level of sensitivity of a person to caffeine. In general, caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, tremors in the muscles, increased heart rate, discomfort in the stomach due to increased stomach acid, headaches, and has a diuretic effect which can lead to dehydration. Specifically, the effects of caffeine on health are:
5. Increase blood pressure
Caffeine can cause a spike in blood pressure after consumption. Some researchers suggest that caffeine might inhibit a hormone that helps relax and dilate blood vessels. Caffeine also triggers the body to release the hormone adrenaline, which can raise blood pressure. A study was conducted on those who have high blood pressure and those who don’t. In people with hypertension, 250 mg of caffeine can cause an increase in blood pressure that lasts for 2-3 hours. Meanwhile, for those who do not have hypertension, consumption of 160 mg of caffeine alone can raise blood pressure.
The risk of consuming too much caffeine
Keep in mind, although a reasonable portion of caffeine can provide a number of goodness, there are times when you should avoid caffeine consumption. Do not also consume them in large quantities because there are a number of adverse effects on the body that may occur due to caffeine that is too high.
1. Harmful to the fetus and baby
Research has found caffeine consumption of more than 300 mg can cause miscarriage or stunted growth and heart problems in the fetus. Meanwhile, caffeine consumption during breastfeeding can cause the baby to feel restless and have trouble sleeping because the caffeine consumed by the mother can be passed on to the baby through breast milk.
2. Reducing the level of female fertility
Several studies have shown that caffeine consumption can reduce muscle activity in the fallopian tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Caffeine inhibits the work of cells that function to help contract the fallopian tubes so that the egg cannot descend into the uterus and be fertilized by sperm.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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