Monday, March 9, 2009

EATRITE - 5l - About Caffeine

Many people make daily use of caffeine.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system.

Sources of caffeine:

Coffee
Cocoa beans – hot chocolate, chocolate
Cola nuts – cola beverages
Tea leaves (Rooibos tea contains no caffeine)

Caffeine is also added to some medicines such as pain killers (analgesics), cold remedies and appetite suppressants.

Caffeine content:

Coffee – 220ml – 138mg
Instant coffee – 220ml – 79 – 91mg
Decaffeinated coffee – 220ml – 2 – 4mg
Ceylon tea – 220ml – 55 – 69mg
Cocoa – 220ml – 6 – 39mg
Cola beverages – 1 can – 38 – 57mg
Certain prescription drugs – 1 tablet – 32 – 100mg
Certain over-the-counter preparations – 1 tablet – 32 – 200mg

(Journal of the American Dietetic Association –
Aug 1987, vol 87, no 8, p 1049)

Effects on the Body

The effects on the body will differ from individual to individual. The stimulating effect peaks approximately 30 minutes after ingestion. The ingestion of caffeine promotes alertness and/or reduces fatigue. This is why the early morning or late afternoon cup of tea of coffee is so popular.

In adults it takes 3 – 7 hours before half of the caffeine ingested is metabolized and eliminated. The body of a small baby is not yet able to cope as efficiently and the breaking down process can take between one and a half and six days.

The amount of caffeine in two cans of cola beverage has the same systemic effect on a 27kg (about 9yr old child) as the amount of 8 cups of coffee will have on an 80kg adult man. The liberal consumption by young children of coffee, tea or cola beverages should therefore be discouraged.

Caffeine cannot enhance ones intellectual powers. Consumed in small quantities (65 – 130mg some believe it improves concentration and the performance of physical tasks. Large amounts of caffeine, on the other hand, impair motor function where delicate coordination is required. Levels of concentration and productivity are raised only to levels they were at before fatigue or boredom set in.

The initial stimulating effect is often followed by a slump, characterized by fatigue and lethargy. An incessant intake of caffeine therefore results in a vicious cycle.

A cup of black coffee will not sober up a n inebriated man, or make him a careful driver.

Because caffeine keeps one awake and stimulates urine excretion, the alcohol is metabolized and eliminated faster.

Drawbacks of caffeine

Caffeine has no nutritive value.

Caffeine can aggravate existing ulcers since more gastric juices re secreted after the ingestion of caffeine.

Pregnant women matabolize caffeine slower. Caffeine enters the bloodstream of the developing baby quickening it’s heartbeat and also possibly impairing development.

Caffeine may cause high blood pressure in sensitive individuals. Discuss your caffeine intake with your doctor.

There is a possible link between the excessive intake of caffeine and cancer of the ovaries, bladder, large intestine and pancreas.

How much caffeine is excessive?

500 – 600mg daily is considered excessive.

When intake such as this is stopped withdrawal symptoms will occur: splitting headaches
Yawning
Lethargy
Irritability
Nausea

EATRITE - Leslie Hand

Recommendation:

Bless, honour and respect your body.
Better not to use caffeine at all.
Minimize drugs containing caffeine.
4 – 5 cups tea and/or coffee per day maximum.

Homework 5l:
Reduce your caffeine intake

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