Caffeine affects everyone differently. You may already know how your body responds to caffeine. Wouldn’t it be nice to know how much caffeine is in common beverages. Below is a chart for your reference. One thing to know, beverage size is important.
There is a common concept that lighter roasted coffees have more caffeine. That is technically true, but they also have more moisture and the beans are smaller in size. If you measure your coffee by weight or by scoop, you use less coffee.
Caffeine Molecule
Benefits of Caffeine
To find out more about caffeine, check out this link to Caffeine Informer.
While being metabolized by the body caffeine has several well-documented positive effects on the body and its processes. Here are some of the major effects.
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Alertness / Wakefulness
This is achieved by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine signals the brain that it’s time for the body to slow down and sleep. -
Pain relief
Caffeine reduces inflammation and helps to block the perception of pain in the brain. -
Endurance
Caffeine is believed to influence the way muscles utilize glycogen allowing them to function longer before fatigue sets in. -
Motivation / Productivity
Caffeine causes dopamine levels to increase, which produces a positive state of mind. -
Neurological conditions
Caffeine is believed to help prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s Disease as well as treat some types of hyperactivity disorders.
Caffeine Liability
While caffeine can offer a person benefits, it also comes with its share of negative effects, which vary by dose and by a person’s tolerance and sensitivity level.
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Insomnia
Consuming caffeine too late in the day can interfere with getting to sleep and staying asleep that evening. -
Jitters
In some people, caffeine causes moderate to severe shaking of the hands. -
Addiction
Caffeine is moderately addictive and some may have trouble consuming it in moderation. -
Withdrawal headaches
Habitual caffeine users must consume close to the same amount of the drug each day or a painful withdrawal headache could result. -
Increased blood pressure
Caffeine metabolism causes stress hormones to be released which elevate a person’s blood pressure. -
Risk of overdose
Doses greater than 400 mg per day can elicit mild to severe caffeine overdose symptoms in adults. This can occur with much smaller doses in children or those with underlying heart conditions. -
Anxiety
Caffeine can increase anxiety especially in those diagnosed with anxiety or stress disorders. -
Exacerbates Heart Conditions
Since caffeine increases heart rate as well as the force in which the heart contracts, it can be dangerous for those with underlying heart conditions. However, it doesn’t appear to cause heart abnormalities.