The Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body

How does Caffeine affect the human body? Caffeine is the world’s most popular drug and can be found in over 60 species of plants throughout the world. Consumption of caffeine comes from cola, coffee, cocoa, tea, some medications and so much more. In this paper I will describe the effects of caffeine on the human body, from the health risks to how it can help your body; here are just some of the ways caffeine affects the human body both physically and psychologically. First of all, caffeine has been shown to lead to a loss of minerals found in bones, which eventually will cause osteoporosis, a disease that is characterized by very weak and brittle bones. According to Spiller (1998), “caffeine intake equivalent to 2 or more cups a day was associated with a significantly increased hip fracture risk in women”. This is because caffeine decreases the ability of your body to absorb calcium by a small amount.

To maintain proper bone density and drink caffeine regularly, it is important to “aim for three or four daily servings of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt”. Caffeine has many Psychological symptoms linked to it as well, such as addiction because caffeine is labeled as a stimulant so overtime people can become addicted to it. Surprisingly you can become physically dependent on caffeine with only taking in doses as low as 100 mg a day, this is equivalent to 1 cup of coffee or 2 sodas! Also just like any other drug you can become addicted to, “People who are addicted to caffeine will experience withdrawal symptoms when they don't have enough in their system” Running head: Caffeine and the human body. Other psychological symptoms that correlate to excessive caffeine ingestion are increased anxiety for those who already have anxiety and sleep disorders such as insomnia. On the other hand, caffeine is not all bad for the human body, it has been shown to protect against Parkinson’s disease and depression, as well as preventing cognitive decline in elderly women.

Also, evidence suggests that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine could help prevent diabetes, certain cancers, and liver disease. Another way caffeine is beneficial is because it helps athletes significantly improve their endurance during explosive exercises such as sprinting or jumping. According to Bartlett (2011), “Consuming between 140 to 400 mg of caffeine before exercising can increase your endurance and overall exercise performance. ” Overall, caffeine is the most popular drug and can be both harmful and beneficial to the human body. It can make your bones brittle, but it can also help boost your metabolism and fight certain diseases. Caffeine just like most things is good in moderation, and as long as you make sure to get enough calcium and nutrients it should have no lasting effects on your body.

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Reference

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2. Top 15 effects that coffee has on your health. Retrieved from: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Top-14-Coffee-Effects-on-Your-Health-70537.shtml Liddell, A. L. (2011).
3. The effects of caffeine on bone density. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/326827-the-effects-of-caffeine-on-bone-density/ Martinez, E. L. (2010).
4. Harmful psychological effects of caffeine. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/325109-harmful-psychological-effects-of-caffeine/Spiller, G. S. (1998).
5. Caffeine. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Gaskins, P. (1998, Caffeine is addictive. Scholastic Choices, 14, 7-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/208801684?accountid=36304, Bartlett, M. B. (2011).
6. Pros of caffeine. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/501876-pros-of-caffeine/

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