Use the word “caffeine” and what springs to mind? A cup of hot, steaming coffee, of course! Drinking coffee is the way in which caffeine is most commonly consumed. But can caffeine be harmful?

Caffeine is classified as a stimulant drug that can be toxic to humans when taken in excessively high doses.  Furthermore, caffeine, found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of certain plants, can also act as a natural pesticide that will paralyse and kill the insects feeding on it.

Completely put off your morning cuppa? Don’t be!

 

What do the experts say?

The caffeine−coffee debate has been raging for quite some time but has fortunately resulted in various studies being undertaken to try and determine the caffeine−coffee effect on the human body.

 

Good news

Caffeine, with its antioxidant properties, is not only found in coffee but also in smaller quantities in tea leaves, kola nuts and cacao beans. It is also added to over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medication, diet pills and most energy and soft drinks. Most research concentrated on the habits of coffee and non-coffee drinkers.

The good news is that caffeine (coffee) may reduce the risk of:

    • Diabetes type 2
    • Heart disease and stroke
    • Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease as well as dementia
    • Liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.

Avid coffee drinkers also point out that caffeine produces a lovely (though temporary) boost of energy and alertness that ward off drowsiness. However, don’t be fooled; caffeine taken in high doses (more than 744 mg/day) can be mildly addictive and drinking coffee late at night may well keep you up all night!

Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. Postmenopausal and pregnant women are advised to monitor their coffee consumption closely as well as those who suffer from high blood pressure or have peptic ulcers. Some suggest that drinking calcium-rich, milky lattes may be a better option, so try it. Children and especially teens, must also try to limit their intake of coffee and soft drinks with high doses of caffeine and sugar. Don’t be surprised if they become more cranky and irritable than usual after consuming too much caffeine.

To sum up, there is little evidence that moderate amounts of caffeine, 300 to 400 mg or three to four cups of coffee per day, have any serious health risks. So, go ahead and enjoy your coffee!

 

Sources

Butt, MS & Sultan, MT. 2011. Coffee and its consumption: benefits and risks. Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition, Vol. 51,(4), pp363-373. Retrieved from: Ebsco Host: Academic Search Premier http://0-web.ebscohost.com.innopac.up.ac.za
Caffeine myths and facts. 2011. Retrieved from: WebMD http://www.webmd.com/balance/caffeine-myths-and-facts?page=3
Osterwell, N. 2012. Say it’s so Joe: the potential health benefits and drawbacks of coffee. Retrieved from: WebMD http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food.

(Reviewed by M van Deventer)