Over the years, caffeine has fallen in and out of favor with the medical community, but the latest research shows that caffeine can actually be beneficial to one’s health.Caffeine is a stimulant drug that naturally exists in coffee beans, cola nuts and cacao beans. It is also produced synthetically, and used as an additive in prescription and non-prescription drugs, soft drinks and diet supplements.The U.S. consumes about 30 million pounds of caffeine each year; coffee comprises three-quarters of the 30 million pounds, according to an article by nutrition scientist Dr. Ed Blonz in Better Homes and Gardens. While it may be habit forming, caffeine is not considered addictive and appears on the FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe list.Dr. Blonz wrote, “Caffeine stimulates the brain … increases alertness … causes an increase in the heart rate and quicker movement of food through the digestive system, increases stomach acid and (aids in the) relaxation of certain muscles. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which means it increases urine output.”Caffeine’s undeserved bad rapAccording to the article by Blonz, in the past caffeine has been related to heartburn, ulcers, cardiovascular disease, fibrocystic breast disease, cancer, birth defects and nervous disorders. The research has often contradicted itself. Blonz noted in the article that recent research does not indicate caffeine is a factor in any of the aforementioned health issues.Experts agree that a moderate amount of caffeine (300 mg. or three cups of coffee) per day is fine, but an excessive amount may be harmful.Dr. Blonz said pregnant and nursing women should avoid excessive amounts of caffeine because it affects the fetus and breast milk. Pregnant women who ingest more than moderate amounts of caffeine have a higher risk of miscarriage.People who suffer from heartburn may increase their chances of its occurrence because caffeine relaxes the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach. Those who aren’t used to ingesting caffeine may experience a temporary increase in blood pressure, even if they don’t normally suffer from high blood pressure. Because caffeine is a stimulant, people suffering from anxiety should not consume large quantities. Caffeine may also interact negatively with some medications.Because caffeine is habit forming, an abrupt halt in intake may lead to temporary headaches, depression, drowsiness, nausea and a shorter attention span, said Blonz. Cut back or quit gradually.Caffeine and childrenCaffeine is not healthy for children, said professionals at Shands Health Care, a southeastern health care system affiliated with the University of Florida: “A child’s caffeine consumption should be closely monitored. Although caffeine is safe to consume in moderation, it may negatively affect a child’s nutrition. Caffeinated beverages may be replacing nutrient-dense foods like fruit juices and milk. A child may also eat less because caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant.”Coffee – to your healthThe National Coffee Association reports more than half of Americans over age 18 drink coffee every day, on average 3 1/2 cups per day per coffee drinker. Recent studies have shown that not only is coffee not harmful in moderate amounts, it also has been proven to be beneficial to health.According to a study done by the Nestle Research Center, which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, coffee contains four times the antioxidant content of green tea, or about 1,000 antioxidants in green coffee beans and 1,300 in brewed coffee. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, stroke and heart disease.
