The confusing ‘truth’ about caffeine

Caffeine is one of the most popular mind altering drugs countering physical fatigue and increasing alertness.  Caffeine interferes with adenosine, a chemical in the body that acts like a natural sleeping pill. Caffeine blocks the hypnotic effect of adenosine and keeps us from falling asleep. Caffeine stimulates adrenalin (a stress hormone) and thermogenisis (fat burning).

Caffeine occurs in the leaves, seeds and fruit of tea, coffee, cacao, kola trees and more than sixty other plants

Caffeine levels in foods: dark chocolate 50gm has 38mg, tea 50mg, espresso 100ml or instant 1 tsp 80mg. Besides caffeine there are substantial amounts of magnesium, niacin, potassium, and even such antioxidants as vitamin E in coffee  (best fresh ground not instant).

Caffeine’s heavy users are night clubbers, marathon runners, mountain bikers, fighter pilots, school and uni crammers and late night truckers. It is the only habit forming psychoactive drug we routinely serve our children (in soft drinks and chocolate). In fact most babies in the developed world enter the universe with traces of caffeine in their bodies , a transfer through the umbilical cord.

Conflicting studies show caffeine acutely decreases insulin sensitivity and elevates blood pressure and cholesterol levels but over long term reduces the risk of diabetes, especially at large doses (6 cups per day). Possible this result is due the appetite suppressing effect of caffeine leading to less calories being consumed, with less sleep and an increased metabolic rate.

Drinking coffee may interfere with your body's ability to keep homocysteine and cholesterol levels in check, most likely by inhibiting the action of the vitamins folate, B12 or B6. Drinking three cups of coffee a day could increase the risk of thromboembolic stroke in older men who have high blood pressure. Caffeine led to a loss of aortic elasticity, and raised blood pressure. Drinking six cups of coffee was significantly associated with an increase in total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides.

Over time population studies have shown that people who consume caffeine have higher rates of kidney and bladder cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, pancreatic cancer and osteoporosis. Pesticides in coffee are associated with cancers, miscarriage and Parkinsons disease.

Caffeine is a stimulant drug that easily passes through the placenta to the developing fetus and is also transferred through breast milk. Again conflictingly some studies have shown no adverse effects with moderate use in pregnancy while other have shown that drinking more than 300 mg of coffee daily, or the equivalent of three ½ cups, may increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects such as cleft palate and low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

How to consume most safely

• Smaller more frequent doses rather than big am hit
• Filtering removes some the terpenoids which are associated with the rise in cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis
• Drink fair trade organic coffee
• Avoid bleached filter papers
• "Swiss Water Process" decaf - Most of the major brands are chemically decaffeinated,
• Avoid if prone to anxiety and anxiety attacks, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or homocysteine.
• Cut down gradually rather than cold turkey to reduce withdrawl headache
• Do not talk vitamin and mineral supplements with caffeine as they compete for absorption.
• Drink less than 3 coffees per day
• Avoid /limit in pregnancy

The information presented on this site is presented as a information guide and reference only, and is not intended as a substitute for competent advice and guidance by a qualified practitioner.

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