Caffeine: The Effects

Caffeinated drinks are one of the most increasingly popular drinks varieties within today’s society and be it in the form of a cup of coffee or in a carbonated can, caffeine is something which a large majority of us cannot live without. We at ‘ddmag’ know only too well that long, hard days can seem that much harder without that cup of coffee but how many of us out there are aware of the actual effects that caffeine can have?

Caffeine is loved around the nation for its ability to wake us all up and works by being carried around our bloodstream; affecting our brains and ultimately leading to increased alertness. Specialists have confirmed that a moderate intake of caffeine does not have any adverse affects on our health; however an increased intake of caffeine (several cups of coffee a day) can have serious side effects.

• The mind- It has been suggested that an increased consumption of caffeine can lead to affects on the mind, particularly the thought patterns.

• The body- It has been proven that caffeine can lead to a loss in the body’s level of calcium. Calcium is specifically needed to maintain healthy bones and therefore, increased daily consumption of caffeine can lead to bone conditions such as osteoporosis.

• The nerves-Evidence has suggested that caffeine has the ability to effect the nervous system which is why specialists warn against excessive consumption and importantly state that children, whose nervous systems are still developing, should not be exposed to any form of caffeine

• Problematic after effects- Having one daily cup of coffee is fine but an increasing number of people are having several cups of coffee and an increasing amount of canned caffeinated drinks which can lead to dependence. Such dependence on caffeine can lead to anxiety and depression and withdrawals can have a range of effects including headache, fatigue and irritability.

In today’s fast paced life style, the need for caffeine is ever present and somewhat essential to all those people who require that extra boost and although its effects can vary from person to person, it is vital that those who intake caffeine daily are aware of its effects, it is after all a psychoactive drug and thus should be dealt with vigilance. We at ‘ddmag’ love a good cup of coffee but be careful not to drink too much, your body is your temple after all!