Caffeine is one of the world's most popular stimulants. More than 60 different plant species, including cocoa beans and tea leaves, naturally contain varying levels of caffeine. Caffeine can be found in a variety of plant parts, including leaves, beans, and fruits. Caffeine can go by different names depending on where it is found, such as theine in tea plants and mateine in mate plants. In addition to naturally occurring caffeine, it can also be produced artificially in laboratories.
Why do we feel more alert when we consume caffeine?
Caffeine binds to receptors in the body, which we call receptors, and this is why we feel temporarily more alert when we consume caffeine. The smooth muscles in the lungs relax, opening the airways in the respiratory tract, which can increase bowel movements and increase the secretion of stomach acid. When taken in large amounts, it can cause insomnia, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. It reduces calcium absorption. Chronic use can have a depressing effect on bone density.
It can negatively affect bone density!
Caffeine consumption can have negative effects on some people. It can cause an increase in complaints in patients with ulcers. It can negatively affect bone density in patients with osteoporosis, especially if calcium intake is low. It can cause an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate.
Caffeine intake during pregnancy should be below 300 mg!
In general, it is recommended that a healthy adult limit their daily caffeine intake to 400 mg to avoid any negative health effects. A cup of Turkish coffee contains 60-65 mg of caffeine. There are some studies that suggest that children may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than adults. Although a safe dose has not been determined, children should not consume more than 2,5 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. In other words, a cup of Turkish coffee may be too much for a child weighing less than 20-25 kg. According to the World Health Organization, the amount of caffeine consumed by pregnant women should be less than 300 mg per day.
May cause caffeine poisoning
Excessive consumption can cause a range of symptoms, including insomnia, restlessness, and sometimes muscle cramps. A concentration of 80 mg/ml of caffeine in the blood has been reported to be fatal. Although caffeine poisoning is rare, it is known that it can potentially even cause death if not treated in time, given caffeine's ability to affect different types of receptors.
Dangerous interactions may occur…
There are medications that should not be combined with caffeine consumption due to potentially dangerous interactions. Caffeine is a stimulant that can intensify the effects of these medications, leading to increased effects and toxicity. Caffeine and alcohol can potentially interact with some medications used in cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. Patients using these medications should limit or stop their caffeine intake to prevent decreased effectiveness or dangerous health outcomes. When used with medications used in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it can cause anxiety and increased heart rate. It may be appropriate for individuals using these drug groups to consult their physicians to evaluate the effects of caffeine side effects on the medication.
The effects of caffeine on many diseases have been investigated
There are studies on the effects of caffeine on many diseases. There are studies supporting its positive effect on glucose metabolism in diabetic patients. There is evidence on the protective effect of coffee against gastrointestinal and liver cancers. Its effect on brain-related diseases has also been studied. A drug with a mechanism similar to caffeine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease was approved in the USA about 5 years ago. There are study results indicating that it can reduce the risks of different diseases such as increased intraocular pressure, Alzheimer's, atopic dermatitis, apnea and Type II Diabetes.
Like other pharmacological effects, the dose is important for caffeine. There are studies showing that 1-2 coffees a day can protect against hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer, by up to 35 percent.
Being aware of caffeine interactions will allow patients to better assess the amount of caffeine they consume through their diet, including coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and chocolate. Patients should not stop taking their current medications and should consult their physician regarding caffeine use.
Atlas University Faculty of Medicine
Head of the Department of Medical Pharmacology
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Gunes Ozunal
