Health Effects of Coffee and Caffeine

We live in a fast paced society - fast cars, fast computers, and fast food. Anyone who is
not pumped may be considered dull or boring. Many people get revved up artificially
with the use of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea and cola beverages.

Java Buzz

About one in 5 adult Americans consumes over 350 mg of caffeine per day, a level
sufficient to produce dependency. A 5 ounce cup of coffee contains between 60 and 150
mg of caffeine while a cup of tea has 35 to 60 mg, depending upon the variety used, the
method of preparation and the strength of the brew. A cola typically contains 30-55 mg of
caffeine per 12-oz. can. New caffeinated beverages such as Surge, Jolt, and Water Joe all
contain about 55-70 mg caffeine/12 oz. can and are intended to provide a cerebral buzz.
Caffeine elevates blood glucose giving the allusion of an energy surge.

Caffeine is considered a psychoactive drug since it stimulates the central nervous system
and alters mood and behavior. Physiological effects may be experienced in adults after as
little as one cup of coffee or 2 cans of cola. The unnatural stimulation or high is usually
followed by a depression or low. Unfortunately, caffeine has a variety of adverse
physiological effects.

Adverse effects include insomnia and disruption of sleep patterns; tremors, nervousness,
restlessness, and irritability; headaches; elevation of blood fatty acid levels; elevation of
blood pressure and/or serum cholesterol levels; irregular heartbeats and palpitations, and
increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and heart attack; increased gastric acid production &
aggravation of peptic ulcers; increased heartburn; increased symptoms of PMS; increased
risk of bladder and rectal cancer; higher risk of the birth of a low-birth-weight child; and
increased urinary calcium losses.

In addition, the use of coffee and tea reduces the non-heme iron absorption of a meal by
40 to 60%, thereby increasing the risk of anemia. While caffeine improves performance
of simple tasks that require attention it actually worsens performance that involves short-
term memory. Caffeine causes a worsening of fine motor coordination due to an increase
in hand and arm tremors.

Children are drinking excessive amounts of cola beverages. Pediatricians are concerned
because as many as one-third of all children consuming high levels of caffeine manifest
hyperactive behavior typical of caffeinism. A young child consuming one can of cola,
may receive a caffeine jolt equivalent to an adult receiving 4 cups of coffee.

Not every study has shown a cholesterol-raising effect of coffee. However, new research
finds a strong connection between the coffee consumption and serum homocysteine
levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Drinking one or more cups of coffee per
day increases interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels and other markers of systemic
inflammation which are considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Recently, coffee drinkers have drawn some hope from the reports that coffee
consumption may reduce the risk of a person getting type 2 diabetes. While caffeine
impairs insulin sensitivity, the chlorogenic acids in coffee block glucose uptake from the
gastrointestinal tract, giving them an anti-diabetic effect.

Regular users of caffeine who try to quit, may experience increased anxiety, headache,
irritability, and fatigue during the first few days of abstinence. These caffeine withdrawal
symptoms are temporarily relieved by caffeine consumption which contributes to the
habitual use of the drug. Caffeine is considered an addictive drug, and its regular use can
lead to dependency. Some have suggested that its use may lead to the use of a stronger
drug.

With so many questions regarding the safety of caffeine, the use of tea, coffee and cola
beverages cannot be encouraged. Small children and pregnant women especially should
avoid caffeine-containing foods and beverages.

Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.