Known for its qualities as a natural stimulant, caffeine is found in many plants. It tends to give a boost to the central nervous system, causing a temporary increase in energy. This is also the reason it is considered to be a drug. This article will review the history of caffeine as well as the benefits of caffeine, caffeine supplements and the side effects caused by caffeine.
Since caffeine is considered to be a drug, there is a lot of debate over whether caffeine is good for you or not. Some argue that since it is produced naturally in plants then it is safe. However, caffeine, in its raw form, is very bitter to the taste and so it may not a natural choice for consumption after all.
As with nutrition as a whole, moderation is usually the key with caffeine, although statistics show that the more caffeine you get used to, the more that you need in order to achieve the same effect. That can make keeping your caffeine to a minimal a little more difficult, especially since caffeine is added to so many products today.
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Caffeine History Caffeine has been employed for consumption by man for more than 500,000 years. Evidence through literary research shows the use of caffeine through tea leaves dating back to prehistoric man. Although the first mention of caffeine is through tea, coffee was introduced in Et... more
Caffeine has been employed for consumption by man for more than 500,000 years. Evidence through literary research shows the use of caffeine through tea leaves dating back to prehistoric man. Although the first mention of caffeine is through tea, coffee was introduced in Ethiopia as early as 850 AD.
It was not until 1819 that the caffeine agent was actually discovered by a chemist in Germany. By 1903 the process of decaffeinating coffee beans was invented.
By the late 1800s, Coca-Cola introduced caffeine as an ingredient in what was then disclosed as a patented medicinal beverage. Excedrin added caffeine as the ingredient to their Extra Strength headache medicine in the mid 1900s. Caffeine continues to play an important role in man’s history, although its role as good or evil is always being debated and alternated.
One of the biggest benefits of caffeine is as a headache reliever. Some people think that caffeine only works for headache relief when the headache is caused by caffeine withdrawal; however, many over the counter headache relief pills contain caffeine because of its pain relieving effects.
The most commonly known benefit of caffeine is its use as an energy booster. Caffeine has the tendency to keep some people awake and alert and so it is used as an eye opener in the morning, for late night drives home, or to stay awake and study for the big test the next day.
Athletes also use caffeine when they are working out. It may help increase physical energy as well as mental awareness, allowing an athlete to perform longer or better and with quickened reactions. Additionally, it is believed that if you take caffeine right before a workout then it helps you burn fat by saving glycogen to be used by your muscles during your workout.
Although the benefits of a caffeine-associated workout have not been proven conclusively, there are several studies that show results leading in this direction. If you do not suffer from any negative side effects of caffeine (see the section below) and you are able to consume caffeine in moderation, then using caffeine for your workout may be advantageous.
Just as there are side effects to every drug, caffeine is no exception. Some people are simply allergic to caffeine. This means that instead of relieving a headache, caffeine may cause a headache. Also, some people do not seem to respond to caffeine as a stimulant and can drink a pot of coffee and go straight to bed.
One problem with caffeine is it seems to be sensitivity dependent. This means that the more caffeine that you drink, the more accustomed to it that your body becomes. In order to achieve the same effects you initially feel from caffeine, you need to consume more of it.
Some people have very negative reactions to caffeine, including anxiety, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramping, and nausea. Obviously these are serious side effects and should be discussed with your physician, especially if you are consuming caffeine or considering taking caffeine supplements.
Another side effect of caffeine is potential dehydration. Coffee acts as a diuretic for many people, which in itself is fine provided you drink water to rehydrate. If you are using caffeine during your workout, then it is even more imperative that you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
If you experience any negative side effects from caffeine, then it is best to avoid taking it in any form. However, if caffeine supplements do not affect you in a negative way and help you boost your athletic performance then simply consume caffeine in moderate levels. Use the supplement finder to locate the nutritional boosts you need now!
| Nausea |
| Fatigue |
| Dizziness |
| Muscle Cramps |
| Dehydration |
| Anxiety |
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| Diuretic |
| Energy |
| Headaches |
| Mental Lucidity |