nt to lead a truly healthy life, it is best that you avoid all addictive drugs, no matter how socially acceptable some of them may presently be in our society. Caffeine in all its forms in coffee and sodas, and many teas too, is one of the primary socially accepted addictive drugs that a person might incorrectly feel is not a serious problem. Yet it is now scientifically accepted that caffeine is a very unhealthy, addictive drug that creates a strong dependence, not just chemically, but psychologically and behaviorally too, and one which can lead to strong withdrawal symptoms. Many unhealthy and sleep deprived people feel they cannot function without their regular morning coffee, and without an ongoing ingestion of caffeine during the day by either having more coffee, or by having caffeinated sodas, as they go through their workday. The truth is that a moderate caffeine user, whether it is in coffee, or another type of food, is a rare individual. Caffeine is so addictive that most consumers of it end up consuming a lot of it. 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day. If they try to suddenly stop, they get terrible, splitting headaches as blood vessels in the brain dilate. So people are quickly driven back to taking more caffeine.

Caffeine is much more addictive and much more of an actual drug than the general public is willing to fully admit to themselves. Yet, anyone who misses their regular coffee or sodas will tell you that they experience typical signs of substance withdrawal. These may include headaches and irritability, and the inability to function in their usual manner. You may not know this, but every can of soda, except for specific non-caffeinated ones, contains about one quarter of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Diet sodas, you may be surprised to learn, contain even more added caffeine than the regular ones. This could be compensation by the soda companies, who are well aware of the psychological effects of their products on people, for the fact that diet sodas do not provide the stimulus of the usual high sugar content of the regular sodas. This extra caffeine is added specifically to create a drug effect, making the soda even more of a stimulant that keeps people coming back for more. This sells more soda but undermines the health of the consumer by using a harmful drug that is known to cause a physical and psychological dependence. Even though soda companies say that caffeine is put into their products for its taste, most people when tested cannot taste the difference between the same soda with or without caffeine. The great popularity of caffeinated soft drinks is driven not so much by subtle taste effects as by the mood-altering and physical dependence of caffeine that drives their daily self-administration. Subjectively, people report that the caffeine in sodas gives them a “lift.” Temporally they feel less drowsy, less fatigued, and more capable of rapid and sustained intellectual effort. A common example of trying to utilize this effect is when students who are trying to get by on an inadequate amount of sleep, eagerly purchase energy soft drinks containing a great deal of caffeine. These are drinks that contain, on average, 75 mg of caffeine, approximately double that of a regular size coffee. Ultimately, the caffeine masks their deep need for proper sleep. Unfortunately for them, studies show that students who use caffeine to study late into the night find their short-term memory is poorer on the next day’s exam.

And if you are not intending to stay up late, the caffeine is very bad for your sleep. A few caffeinated sodas, or one strong cup of coffee, drunk 30-60 minutes before going to sleep can cause restlessness and difficulty falling asleep, increased body movements during sleep, a tendency to be more easily awakened by sudden noises, and an overall decreased quality of sleep.

The best way to deal with substances of this nature is complete abstinence. People who use it generally are dependent on it to function in their day to day life because they have not been taking proper care of themselves. It is often a compensation for run down overall health because of poor nutrition, failure to stay fit, and most of all, inadequate sleeping regimes. Its use leads to more deterioration of a person’s health, and with its continued use, their health is liable to continue to deteriorate further and further.

Anyone who is seeking optimum health should stop drinking coffee and other forms of caffeine, such as caffeinated sodas and caffeine containing teas. Caffeine is a drug and the last thing any of us needs is the regular use of an addictive, physiologically deleterious, mind altering substance in our lives. If you are physically addicted, you will need to endure the withdrawal symptoms for several days while consuming caffeine-free substitutes. It may be of interest to you to know more about why you get a headache when you skip your morning cup of caffeine. Caffeine acts as a powerful vasoconstrictor in the brain. That is, it constricts blood vessels, lowering oxygen flow to the brain because of the deceased circulation. When caffeine is no longer present the vessels dilate resulting in a sudden increase in circulation and oxygenation that results in headaches.

The most common caffeine withdrawal symptom is a throbbing headache, usually occurring within 18-24 hours after the last dose of caffeine. Other symptoms may include drowsiness, lethargy, irritability, nervousness, depression, and nausea. Sometimes people who are just reducing caffeine intake, report being irritable, unable to concentrate, nervous, restless, and feeling sleepy, as well as having a headache. If you’re chronically tired as you gradually switch to caffeine-free sodas and teas, herbal coffee, and other alternative beverages, try to sleep more each night, eat healthier foods, and exercise regularly. While withdrawal symptoms force millions of addicted people back to the caffeine habit and make them reluctant to give it up, the good news is that people can often avoid this pitfall by very slowly weaning themselves off caffeine over a two to three week period. There is a good chance you will be able to avoid the headaches, and at the same time gradually adjust your body and mind to being less reliant on this stimulant. Cutting back by a half cup of coffee per day or having one or more less caffeinated sodas each day is a recommended pace.  . If you find yourself needing a cup of something try to experiment with caffeine-free herbal teas.

Some people might think of trying decaf during the weaning period. But it is important to keep in mind that most decaf, even some that say “naturally decaffeinated” on the container, has been made with methylene chloride, and a significant amount of this toxic chemical is left as a residue on the newly decaffeinated coffee making it unhealthy. Decaf coffee is also highly acidic and many feel that because of this it is not health promoting. The best choice is a Swiss water processed decaf. Unfortunately, drinking only decaf coffee will not free you from caffeine addiction, and may end with your eventually desiring your regular coffee, or other sources of caffeine, like commercial sodas. The reason is that, contrary to what most people think, decaf still contains a small, but significant amount of caffeine.

One product I regularly recommend to my clients who love the taste of coffee, but who wish to improve their health by eliminating caffeine entirely from their life, is an herbal coffee called Teeccino.  It comes in a variety of flavors, and most of my clients who try it find the taste of it quite satisfying and don’t miss their past caffeine-laden morning cup of coffee at all. It can be brewed in the same way as regular coffee is brewed, so that you don’t even have to change your morning routine. For those freeing themselves from caffeine this way, it is recommended that you gradually reduce the percentage of your caffeine containing coffee over a two-three week period until you are drinking 100% caffeine-free herbal coffee.  You should be able to avoid headaches and also gradually adjust your body to less reliance on stimulants.

The body’s reaction to the toxicity of caffeine can vary so greatly for different individuals that you have to discover how it was uniquely affecting you. Some pains and discomforts you would never have thought were caused by caffeine will disappear after you quit having coffee, caffeinated sodas and other forms of caffeine. You may experience improvements in your skin, digestion, sleep, mood, and energy among others. You might very well find that three months after getting caffeine completely out of your life, your energy stays steady all day long and you feel better than you’ve felt in years.

By: Jeffrey Rose

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How Does Caffeine affect Pregnancy? This is a very common question and act as an important role to a healthy pregnancy.

Caffeine belongs to the xanthine chemical group.It is actually a drug, much like nicotine and alcohol.Caffeine is also addictive, which is why so many people crave their coffee and cola! Caffeine, also known as guareine and mateine, is a naturally-occurring substance found in a number of plants, beans, and seeds.It is also found in a number of foods and beverages, including: tea, coffeecolas, hot chocolate,chocolate, various nuts,etc.

Caffeine is also found in certain medications, particularly those for migraine headaches, and in some dietary supplements.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. In moderate doses, caffeine can:

* increase alertness

* reduce fine motor coordination

* cause insomnia

* cause headaches, nervousness and dizziness

* increased heart rate

* increased blood pressure

* increased sweat production

* cause symptoms of nausea and lightheadedness, as well as respiratory problems

In massive doses, caffeine is lethal. A fatal dose of caffeine has been calculated to be more than 10 grams (about 170 mg/kg body weight) – this is the same as drinking 80 to 100 cups of coffee in rapid succession – not an easy thing to do.Most health care providers suggest eliminating all caffeinated foods and beverages from your pregnancy diet. Yet, some pregnant women find this especially difficult, particularly because so many food items contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are finding it hard to eliminate all caffeine from your diet, one caffeinated beverage or food item once in awhile probably won’t make much difference to your baby’s health. However, it is important to realize that caffeine does pose a risk to your little one, especially in large amounts, so work to reduce that caffeine intake.

The table below shows the studies of Caffeine and birth weight and duration of pregnancy

The following info displays common caffeinated products and the amounts of caffeine they contain:

Drink/Food/Supplement | Amt. of Drink/Food | Amt. of Caffeine

SoBe No Fear | 8 ounces | 83 mg

Monster energy drink | 16 ounces | 160 mg

Rockstar energy drink | 8 ounces | 80 mg

Red Bull energy drink | 8.3 ounces | 80 mg

Jolt cola | 12 ounces | 72 mg

Mountain Dew | 12 ounces | 55 mg

Coca-Cola | 12 ounces | 34 mg

Diet Coke | 12 ounces | 45 mg

Pepsi | 12 ounces | 38 mg

7-Up | 12 ounces | 0 mg

Brewed coffee (drip method) | 5 ounces | 115 mg*

Iced tea | 12 ounces | 70 mg*

Cocoa beverage | 5 ounces | 4 mg*

Chocolate milk beverage | 8 ounces | 5 mg*

Dark chocolate | 1 ounce | 20 mg*

Milk chocolate | 1 ounce | 6 mg*

Jolt gum | 1 stick | 33 mg

Cold relief medication | 1 tablet | 30 mg*

Vivarin | 1 tablet | 200 mg

Excedrin extra strength | 2 tablets | 130 mg

*denotes average amount of caffeine

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Soft Drink Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Caffeine enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine and can have its effects as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. Once in the body, caffeine will stay around for hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated.

Though researchers debate how much caffeine is acceptable during pregnancy, there is evidence to suggest than any amount will cause some physical effects on your little one. This is because caffeine passes through your placenta and is absorbed by your baby. Adults are able to break down caffeine fairly quickly, thanks to chemicals inside of our body. However, your developing baby can’t do this as efficiently. This means that caffeine will be stored inside of his blood for longer periods of time, and could reach dangerously high levels.

Caffeine also affects other aspects of your baby’s health. It is known to increase your baby’s heart rate and may affect how much he moves in utero. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can also affect the nutrition your baby receives from you. Caffeine intake may cause you to absorb less iron and calcium from foods, a possible detriment to your baby’s overall fetal development.

Recent studies have focused on the effects of coffee intake during pregnancy. A large-scale Danish study polled more than 80,000 pregnant women regarding their coffee intake. This study found that women who drank large amounts of coffee during pregnancy were more likely to experience a miscarriage. Women who drank more than 2 cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, while those that drank 8 or more cups experienced a 59% increase. This is why it is so important to watch your caffeine intake during pregnancy.

Interestingly, this Danish study found that this considerably greater risk of miscarriage was specific to coffee. Other caffeinated beverages and foods did not present the same significant increase, leading researchers to believe that other chemicals contained in coffee could possibly play a role in causing miscarriage.

To quit smoking and drinking can be difficult, to eliminate caffeine from your daily diet can also be hard. However, you can do something to reduce your caffeine intake and ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.

* Exercise regularly to help combat any withdrawal symptoms and to stay energized.

* Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help you manage cravings and fatigue.

* Cut back on your caffeine intake slowly. Going cold turkey can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and nausea.

* Try replacing your caffeinated beverages with non-caffeinated ones, like decaf coffee.

Therefore, it is obvious that to get an idea of how Does Caffeine affect Pregnancy is very important to keep the pregnant women and their babies healthy.

By: Edi Hung

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Caffeine is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the world’s population consumes caffeine on a daily basis. The most common dietary sources of caffeine are coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate. After ingesting caffeine, it is completely absorbed within 30 to 45 minutes and then its effects diminish within about three hours. As many caffeine drinkers can attest, when you ingest high levels of caffeine, you may feel your mood soar and then plummet, leaving you craving more caffeine to make it soar again. While caffeine is eventually excreted so there is no accumulation in the body, it has been shown to adversely affect mood, stamina, stress levels, the cardiovascular system, and gastric health, to name a few.

10 Consequences of Caffeine Consumption

1. Caffeine is highly addictive. Like other drugs, caffeine causes a chemical addiction within the brain. Quitting coffee or soda can create withdrawal symptoms – headaches, sleepiness, irritability, anxiety – while the brain’s chemistry readjusts.

2. Caffeine exacerbates mood disorders in adults and children. Mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and attention disorders are aggravated by chronic caffeine consumption. Rather than increasing mental activity as many caffeine drinkers believe, caffeine actually decreases blood flow to the brain by as much as 30% and negatively impacts memory and mental performance. Mood disturbances may appear after the stimulant effect of caffeine wears off – often about three hours later prompting many to consume more caffeine – and they may also appear during the recovery period after quitting caffeine.

3. Caffeine increases stress. Caffeine stimulates the secretion of stress hormones – cortisol (adrenaline) from the adrenal glands – which can increase levels of anxiety, irritability, muscular tension, indigestion, insomnia, and decreased immunity. Continued stimulation of the adrenal glands can ultimately lead to adrenal exhaustion, which leaves a person vulnerable to a variety of health problems including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Because of chronically increased stress hormone levels, caffeine consumption can render some incapable of making healthy responses to the stressful situations that occur in their daily lives.

4. Caffeine accelerates bone loss. Caffeine causes the urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and trace minerals, which can lead to osteoporosis.

5. Caffeine contributes to blood sugar problems. Caffeine stimulates a temporary surge in blood sugar creating a quick burst of energy; however, increased blood sugar triggers an insulin spike, which ultimately causes a sugar crash within hours. This blood sugar rollercoaster can contribute to diabetes, hypoglycemia, and weight gain because insulin triggers the body to store excess sugar as fat.

6. Caffeine affects your heart’s health. Because caffeine acts as a stimulant, it increases pulse and blood pressure. It also contributes to the development of heart disease because caffeine increases cholesterol levels as well as a chemical called homocysteine, which has been linked to heart attacks.

7. Caffeine affects your stomach acid. Caffeine causes your stomach to produce extra hydrochloric acid (HCL), which creates an increased risk for ulcers, heartburn, and gastro-esophageal reflux.

8. Caffeine accelerates aging. Caffeine contributes to the decline in production of hormones produced in abundance during youth – DHEA, melatonin, and others – which speeds the aging process. Because caffeine dehydrates the body, skin loses water from its cells, causing wrinkling and sagging.

9. Caffeine affects normal sleep patterns. Because it is a stimulant, caffeine keeps you awake longer, thereby shortening the amount and the quality of sleep each night, which takes a toll on your level of alertness the next day and overall health. Because of sleep deprivation and fatigue, a person might look to caffeine for a boost, thereby perpetuating the vicious cycle.

10. Caffeine increases the risk for male and female health problems. Studies show that caffeine increases the risk for prostate and urinary problems in men. In women, fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight infants, and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are aggravated by caffeine.

Kick the Caffeine Habit

Weaning yourself off of caffeine requires patience and perseverance, just like detoxifying from any other drug addiction. While some people can successfully quit by eliminating caffeine all at once, most people will need to gradually reduce the amount of caffeine they consume in order to minimize suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

* Here is an example of a gradual schedule: 3 cups of coffee or soda per day in the first week; 2 per day during the second; 1 during the third; and none during the fourth.

*Another strategy is to gradually replace coffee with decaf: During the first week, when you make your coffee, use 3/4 regular and 1/4 decaf; the second week, use 1/2 and 1/2; the third week, use 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf; the fourth week, you’re drinking decaf!

* If you are a soda drinker, you can gradually replace your soda with sparkling water and/or caffeine-free soda.

* Whatever strategy you choose, it is important to drink plenty of water and to get plenty of sleep to assist with the detoxification process.

Because caffeine consumption is so commonplace, it is easy to become complacent about the potential health hazards. However, given the mounting research, it is important to ‘wake up’ to the hidden dangers your morning coffee creates. Make a positive choice for your health and kick the caffeine habit today!

By: Erin Elster

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