Few substances are as ubiquitous in our daily lives as caffeine. Coffee and tea between them are beloved by billions around the world, from that first jolt that wakes you up in the morning to that last soothing cup to help you recover after a long day. But how many people actually know about caffeine’s benefits and risks (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/caffeine-benefits-effects-uses-nutrition-risks/)?
We don’t know exactly when and how people started consuming caffeine, but there are accounts of tea drinking in China dating back thousands of years. Coffee drinking may be more recent, but it’s been consumed in the Middle East and parts of Africa (particularly Ethiopia) for a long time. In the Americas, caffeinated drinks originated from the cacao bean centuries before chocolate ever came to Europe. Modern caffeine comes to us in many forms, from energy drinks to supplements.
Caffeine’s popularity is at least partly because of its stimulant effects. It can make you feel more alert and help with memory, focus and cognition. Benefits span everything from physical energy to mood. There’s also a cultural element. Through complex tea drinking ceremonies, gatherings in coffee houses and religious rituals, caffeine has been used to bring societies together. For some people, however, the main attraction continues to be the distinctive and often bitter taste.
A full nutritional breakdown of caffeine shows that while it can boost your central nervous system and metabolism, it’s low in calories. This makes it popular for people trying to lose weight. The high levels of antioxidants may help with disease prevention. You can’t live on caffeine alone, though. It’s not just lacking calories but also important nutrients like protein.
There are potential side effects of caffeine consumption, especially if you exceed the recommended daily intake. For example, it can increase both your heart rate and blood pressure, which is particularly dangerous if you already have conditions like arrhythmia. It can also cause dehydration. You need to be especially careful about consuming caffeine alongside certain medications. In the long term, you could develop a dependency, making it hard to cut caffeine from your diet. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, headaches and mood swings.
Many people experience benefits from caffeine, but it’s not good for everyone. If you make it part of your regular diet, ensure you stick to recommended limits and be aware of your own unique reactions to this stimulant.
