Modern people consume too much caffeine.
A cup of coffee or tea is a favorite part of the morning routine and can make you feel the sensation of being awake and alert. The caffeine in these is the chemical that makes us alert and awake. However, there is a lack of understanding of how caffeine affects the brain in other ways.
Caffeine is
found from the start in tea and coffee, and is added to energy drinks and many types of soda. It is even found in some snack foods and medicines. It seems that more than 8 out of 10 adults in the United States consume some form of caffeine.
Do you know how caffeine wakes you up?
The human body naturally produces a chemical called adenosine, which accumulates in the body during the day.The drowsiness you feel at the end of the day is caused by adenosine," says NIH brain scientist
The drowsiness you feel at the end of the day is due to adenosine," explains Dr. Sergiferet, a brain scientist at the NIH.
When adenosine builds up to a certain level, it tells the brain to rest. However, caffeine is thought to prevent adenosine from acting on brain cells. This results in no more sleepiness. The body then adapts to this state, and when caffeine is consumed regularly, the body produces more adenosine. When this happens, you will need more caffeine in order to feel as awake as usual.
However, adenosine has the effect of causing discomfort when caffeine is suddenly withdrawn. When caffeine is removed, the extra adenosine in the body can cause withdrawal symptoms for a while, such as headaches and increased sleepiness.
Caffeine also interacts with other chemicals in the brain, and if you take more than normal, some of these interactions can make you feel "over-caffeinated. It can cause your heart to beat, anxiety in your stomach and mood swings.
However, caffeine does not affect all people in the same way. This is because it is broken down at different rates in different people, and the rate at which it is broken down is determined by genes, explains Dr. Marilyn Cornelis, a nutrition researcher at Northwestern University .
Experts say
Some people are better off avoiding caffeine, experts say. People with intestinal problems such as gastro-esophageal reflux disease, problems sleeping, high blood pressure and heart problems should avoid caffeine, she explained. Pregnant or breastfeeding children, teenagers, and adult women are also often advised not to consume caffeine.
Even healthy people should avoid mixing caffeine and alcohol," Dr. Ferre explained, "because caffeine can prevent the brain from feeling the inhibitory effects of alcohol. This could cause someone to drink more than they normally would, which could increase their impairment.
However, Dr. Cornelis said that research shows that caffeine itself is likely harmless in small to moderate amounts for most healthy adults. According to the study, it was being investigated to see if it might have a positive effect on thinking, learning, and memory.When I drink caffeine, I'm more alert," she says.
It contributes to our brain's ability to retain information. This could lead to long-term improvements in cognitive function. She says her team is in the process of exploring new ways to measure the effects of caffeine on the brain and the role genes play in your body's response.
For most people, a few cups of unsweetened coffee or tea a day is enough, but Dr. Hoffman cautions that excess sugar is not good for the body or brain, as some caffeinated beverages contain a lot of sugar.
Recent Caffeine Drinking Associates with Cognitive Function in the UK Biobank. Cornelis MC, Weintraub S, Morris MC. Nutrients. 2020 Jul 2;12(7):1969. doi: 10.3390/nu12071969. PMID:32630669.
A review of caffeine's effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Dec;71:294-312. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001. Epub 2016 Sep 6. PMID: 27612937.
Summary.
This has been an explanation of the effects of caffeine on the brain and dependence. It can provide benefits depending on how it is used, but it is important to note that it can affect other organs if the dosage is exceeded.
If you know that caffeine is bad, just knowing this mechanism may give you a hint on how to control your caffeine intake.
