A simple cup of coffee, it is one of the most popular methods of relaxation. For a few minutes while consuming that cup, nothing else seems to matter. We feel an elevation in our mood and in our energy level. Caffeine can affect your mind, body and emotions. It can be an emotional lift and it can bring you down just as quickly. Why does all this occur?
Make no mistake about it, caffeine is a drug. And the withdrawal effects of that drug can be very painful and memorable: Nausea, headache, vomiting are all among the effects of caffeine withdrawal. The best way to avoid the withdrawal symptoms is simply to ensure that you have a regular, predictable and sustainable supply of it. Because most medical experts and practitioners believe that caffeine is basically harmless, for most of us there should be no negative effects to any moderate intake levels. Most experts define moderate and reasonable intake levels to be about 200-300 milligrams a day, or about 3-4 cups
Caffeine is most effectively measured in cups of coffee because a single cup can contain different amounts due to the brewing method used. It can be anywhere from 60-150 milligrams of caffeine per cup of coffee. In addition, typical energy drinks are the equivalent of consuming one cup of coffee. A cup of instant coffee will usually contain about half of the amount of an equal size cup of brewed coffee. Percolated coffee has the most caffeine but that method of preparation is seldom used anymore.
It is, at the same time the most widely consumed anti-oxidant in North America and the most widely consumed recreational drug in North America.
Caffeine can be good or bad depending on your usage. Overuse of caffeine can cause irritability, restlessness, anxiety and headaches, among other symptoms. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system causing an increase in urine production.
On the positive side, caffeine has been shown to improve your performance both in intellectual and in physical endeavors. It is thought, for example, that ten cups of coffee in a day can greatly stimulate your creativity, but this level of intake is not recommended because this will also elevate your blood pressure and your pulse rate. In athletic endeavors, caffeine can stimulate performance and improve response time.
For most people, caffeine is a simple, feel good drug, it will elevate your mood without harmful side effects of typical drugs.
