 |
IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The Caffeine Scene
by Terry Miller Shannon, 06.28.02
"If you want an occasional java jolt without feeling hooked, drink your buzz juice occasionally rather than regularly." |
|
Your day starts with a hot tub-sized latte. By noon, you're lagging, so you tank up on cola. Between classes, you nibble on chocolate. You sip iced tea with dinner, and then hit the books with an espresso or two. Lattes, colas, chocolate, tea, espresso ... what's the common denominator? All together now: "CAFFEINE!"
What Is Caffeine?
Caffeine (as any Starbucks nut will tell you) is a chemical that is a stimulant. It revs you up. It also acts as a diuretic (in other words, it makes you pee). It's found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and some medications.
What Are the Side Effects of Caffeine?
It differs from person to person. If you're a 150-pound person who drinks coffee every day, you'll probably have fewer side effects from caffeine than your 90-pound (normally) caffeine-free friend.
- in just-right doses: alertness, happier mood, increased concentration, and a burst of energy
- in too-much doses: jitteriness, shakiness, racing pulse, upset stomach, headache, and insomnia
Caffeine doesn't accumulate. Within three to five hours after you slurp it down, most caffeine exits your body. If you do suffer java heebie-jeebies, cut the caff down or out.
How Much Is Okay?
"There are no specific recommendations for caffeine intake for teens," says Cindy Cunningham, MS, RD/LD, of the Department of Clinical Nutrition at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "But for adults, two cups of coffee, or 200-300 mg of caffeine, a day have not posed physical problems."
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine. People who have certain chronic health problems or are pregnant need to talk with their clinicians about caffeine limits.
Co(ffee)-dependent?
Drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks regularly can give you a whopping dose of "gotta have it." If you don't get the amount of caffeine you're used to, you could suffer headaches, stomachaches, sleepiness, or crankiness.
If you want an occasional java jolt without feeling hooked, drink your buzz juice occasionally rather than regularly.
Want to Stop?
Don't go cold turkey. Instead, taper off slowly but surely — to avoid those withdrawal nasties.
The Good News
Caffeine might speed up your reaction time, improve physical skills, and help you reason. The latest word is that sensible amounts don't cause miscarriages, birth defects, or cancer. It also won't stunt growth (even that of old wives, who spread these kinds of tales). Sometimes a cup of coffee can help a headache — as long as your brain pain wasn't caused by caffeine to begin with.
The Bad News
Caffeine may contribute to osteoporosis (bone softening). Since it makes you pee like crazy, avoid using caffeinated drinks to replenish fluids during exercise. And coffee will NOT sober up someone's who's drunk.
Cunningham points out that caffeinated drinks "may have negative effects on teen nutrition by replacing nutritious beverages such as milk and fruit juice at a time when ... [teens] are growing and have high nutrient requirements."
The Bottom Line
Caffeine is okay in moderation, but don't overdo it. Limit your caffeine intake to a reasonable amount, say 100 mg per day (200-300 mg at the most). How much is that? Where is caffeine lurking? You could be surprised. For a caffeine reality check, take a look at this list from the Mayo Clinic. |
|
|
|
Printable Version
Email this page