Natalie - What is Caffeine?

Caffeine

Figure 1

Formula: C8H10N4O2

Molecular Mass: 194g/mol

Functional groups present in molecule:

amine, amide, alkene

What is Caffeine? What are its benefits?           

People consume caffeine every single day, and it has been consumed by people for hundreds of years. It is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid product that acts as a natural stimulant; it speeds up the responses in the brain and in the body’s nervous system, allowing the consumer to feel like they are gaining energy when they don’t have any left from sleep. Unlike some other organic products such as herbicides, caffeine does not cause birth defects, heart attacks, or pancreatic cancer. Caffeine is present in many different drinks such as energy drinks, tea or coffee. In Japan, researchers have shown that consuming large amounts of caffeine (a cup of coffee would not be enough) can help increase memory by stimulating brain cells as well as lengthening life expectency. Some other benefits include:

Figure 2

- Helps increase muscle strength.

- Increases metabolism by burning down fat.

- Stimulating hair growth on both men and women.

- Increased stamina during exercise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7EQ6e5d1c

What kinds of heath hazards are associated with Caffeine? What can I do to avoid them?

In addition to all of the great benefits of Caffeine, there are quite a few downsides to this organic product. One hazard that should be greatly taken into account would be that caffeine does in fact interfere with health digestion and bowel movements in the body. Some other main side effects of caffeine are as follows:

Figure 3

- Headaches.

- Runny nose.

- The effect of "crashing".

- Risk of caffeine addiction, increased blood pressure, etc.

For people who drink a lot of coffee (or any other drink that contains caffeine) should maybe think about pacing their caffeine intake. Two- three cups of coffee are considered to be more than enough for someone to consume in one day. Consumers should try to limit themselves to consuming 200-300mg of caffeine daily in order to reduce the chances of suffering from any of the heath hazards listed above.

Works Cited:

Book:

Websites:

Treichel, Joan Arehart. "Good news for caffeine consumers?." Science News 122.20 (1982): 1-2. Science Reference Center. Web. 29 Apr 2013.

Chenoweth , Chris. "Caffeine - Benefits and Risks."Disabled World. Disabled World, 03 Dec 2006. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/caffeine.shtml>.

 "Top 10 Caffeine Health Benefits." energyfiend. Exis Web, 27 Mar 2013. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.energyfiend.com/top-10-caffeine-health-benefits>.

Dr.Mercola, . "GM Foods: The Shocking Cause of Birth Defects." Organic Consumers Association. N.p., 13 May 2012. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_25438.cfm>.

Images:

Figure 1:

Caffeine . 2011. Photograph. Caffeine.comWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.caffeine.com/2762115755_162d5e3423_o.png>.

Figure 2:

Caffeine for Health. 2013. Photograph. CaffexWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.caffex.com/Caffeine-for-Health_b_120.html>.

Figure 3: 

How to Kick Your Morning’s Ass without Caffeine. 2013. Photograph. Gabriel HummelWeb. 7 May 2013. <http://www.gabrielhummel.com/2009/07/23/how-to-kick-your-mornings-ass-without-caffeine/>.

Video:

Brayn, Marshall, perf. How Caffeine Works. HowStuffWorks.com, 2007. Web. 7 May 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7EQ6e5d1c>.bB