[1]Natural vs Synthetic
Caffeine is in many products that we consume daily such as coffee, tea and chocolate [2]. These natural sources are all from plants, but caffeine is produced by at least 60 species of plants that we know of [3]. These sources of caffeine are natural because they are produced by the plant itself and they can even be healthy to a degree because they have the added benefit of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals [3].
Synthetic caffeine, on the other hand, is the type of caffeine that is manufactured in a factory [3] and is added to energy drinks and even some medications [2,4]. This type of caffeine is far stronger than the natural caffeine produced by plants and results in an extreme jolt of “alertness” and then a harsh crash [3].
It is Evolutionary
Why do plants make caffeine? It’s adaptive! Caffeine production in plants helps prevent insects from munching on them AND it helps control the growth of other plants around them [5].
Caffeine Has Benefits
Besides the known benefits of alertness, wakefulness, etc., caffeine has been shown to help with long-term health [6]. It may be able to detoxify the liver, ease depression, protect against cataracts and even lower the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, some cancers and stroke [6,7].
Caffeine May Be Harmful
On the other hand, many specialists believe that caffeine can cause problems such as
cancer, increased blood pressure, adrenal exhaustion, ulcers, hormone imbalance and
can be a strain on your liver [8]. Also, no vodka red bulls! Mixing depressants such as
alcohol with stimulants such as caffeine poses huge health risks, mostly because you’ll
feel more awake and think that you’re less intoxicated than you are, increasing the
likelihood that you will drink even more to feel the buzz, which may result in alcohol
poisoning [9]. Caffeine and alcohol do not cancel each other out, no matter what you
think!
There are alternatives to caffeine if you want to feel more awake, but given that the
controversies surrounding the use of caffeine are, well, controversial, it’s doubtful that
you absolutely must give up your daily cup of coffee. Like any substance, use in
moderation and you may be able to reap the benefits without the negative
consequences. Also, go natural. At least that way you can say you got some
antioxidants and vitamins in the process.
References
[1] Image photographed by the author.
[2] Villanova University Student Life. (n.d.). About caffeine. Retrieved February 13, 2014,
from
https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/health/promotion/goto/resour
ces/drugs/caffeine.html#2
[3] Whidden, C. (n.d.). Natural and synthetic caffeine: understanding the difference.
Retrieved February 13, 2014, from http://www.hawaiianola.com/naturalsynthetic-
caffeine/
[4] Smith, B.D., White, T., Shapiro, R. (2007). The arousal drug of choice: sources and
consumption of caffeine. In B.D. Smith, U. Gupta, & B.S. Gupta. (Ed.),
Caffeine and activation theory: effects on health and behavior (pp. 9-41).
Boca Raton, Florida: Taylor & Francis Group.
[5] Ashihara, H., Kato, M., & Crozier, A. (2011). Distribution, biosynthesis and
catabolism of methylxanthines in plants. In B.B. Fredholm (Ed.),
Methylxanthines (pp. 12-26). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
[6] Top 10 caffeine health benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2014, from
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-caffeine-health-benefits
[7] Hales, D. (2011). An invitation to health: Choosing to change, brief edition (7th ed.).
Retrieved February 18, 2014, from
http://books.google.ca/books?id=Hfhii0gOJbAC&pg=PT372&dq=caffeine+health+benefits&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4tQDU8eZE43coATG4oGADg&ved=0CEoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=caffeine%20health%20benefits&f=false
[8] Cherniske, S. (1998). Caffeine blues: wake up to the hidden dangers of America’s #1 drug. New York, NY: Warner Books.
[9] Shrieves, L. (2010, November). Why mixing alcohol and caffeine is so deadly. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved from http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-11-18/business/os-caffeine-alcohol-mix-20101118_1_alcoholic-energy-drink-alcohol-and-caffeine-older-drinkers
No comments:
Post a Comment