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Assignment Details
Caffeine
Date Due
Jan. 30, 2019
Additional Info
But of course, there can be negative consequences from caffeine consumption, particularly if ingested in high doses.
The Mayo Clinic state that consuming more than 500-600 mg of caffeine a day may lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, an upset stomach, a fast heartbeat and even muscle tremors.
However, previous research has linked even moderate amounts of caffeine to negative health effects.
Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that consuming 300 mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy may increase the risk of low birth weight babies, while other research suggests that drinking four cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of early death.
Given the positive effects caffeine can have as a stimulant, Meredith told Medical News Today that for some people, this can result in caffeine addiction:
"Caffeine activates many of the same behavioral and neuropharmacological mechanisms that are activated by other reinforcers, including other drugs of abuse.
And, like many other reinforcers, caffeine is associated with various positive subjective effects like increased wellbeing, sociability, and feelings of energy and alertness. For this reason and others, a small percentage of the population develops caffeine use disorder."
He said that some people can become physically dependent on caffeine, with absence or reduction of coffee consumption in these individuals resulting in caffeine withdrawal.
This can trigger symptoms such as headache, fatigue, drowsiness, depression, irritability, concentration difficulties, nausea and vomiting.
"Dependence can become so strong for some individuals that they're unable to reduce consumption despite knowledge of recurrent physical or psychological problems associated with continued use," Meredith added.
Meredith said that based on the negative side effects caffeine consumption can have, doctors should be discussing caffeine use with their patients to determine whether they are ingesting safe levels of the stimulant.
Furthermore, he warned that this is particularly important for children and adolescents.
The majority of pediatricians recommend that this population should avoid caffeine consumption, particularly since it is unknown as to how excessive caffeine intake impacts the developing brain.
"Notably, caffeine interferes with sleep, and sleep plays a critical role in learning. Some laboratory research suggests that caffeine interferes with sleep and learning among adolescent rodents, which, in turn, hinders normal neurological development that is noticeable into adulthood," said Meredith.
"Some psychologists are also concerned that a pattern of caffeine use or abuse among young people may lead to subsequent problematic drug and alcohol use."
The FDA clearly hold a similar view to pediatricians. In May last year, the organization announced it would be investigating the safety of caffeine in food products, particularly products aimed at children and adolescents.
The FDA are concerned that many food and drink products, such as jelly beans, waffles, syrup and chewing gum, now have caffeine added to them to enhance their stimulating effect.
Michael R. Taylor, deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine at the FDA, said:
"We're particularly concerned about children and adolescents and the responsibility FDA and the food industry have to protect public health and respect social norms that suggest we shouldn't be marketing stimulants, such as caffeine, to our children."
Meredith told us that studies have shown high caffeine intake may also produce negative side effects in pregnant women and individuals with heart conditions or anxiety disorders.
However, he added that the majority of us consume caffeine in moderation without any harmful side effects, so healthy adults should not be overly concerned.
"But we should be mindful that when we consume caffeine, we are consuming a psychoactive substance that can cause or exacerbate some health problems," he cautioned.