Caffeine information

I read this on braingle.com and thought you guys might be interested.

Caffeine is probably the most commonly used chemical stimulant. More than 90% of Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis in their coffee, soda, tea, or chocolate. Pure caffeine is a white bitter-tasting powder that can be extracted from coffee, tea, the guarana berry, or from other sources.

Caffeine is a brain stimulant. It works in the brain by blocking the natural effect of adenosine on the nerve cells, causing increased mental activity. It also causes the body to release adrenaline, which causes the heart to beat faster, blood pressure to rise, muscles to tighten up, and extra sugar to be released into the bloodstream for a burst of energy. This is why it is often used to counteract sleepiness.

Caffeine is an addictive substance. When the effects from caffeine wear off, the feelings of fatigue, depression, and irritability set in. Taking more caffeine can counteract these feelings, but this leads to a dangerous cycle. With prolonged use, it can interfere with the brain's ability to reach deep sleep and become fully rested, which means that the person will feel tired in the morning and be more inclined to take even more caffeine.

In addition to working as a brain stimulant, caffeine has also been shown to improve athletic performance and endurance.

Two additional things to keep in mind about caffeine are that it is a diuretic and causes increased calcium loss. So, if you consume caffeine you should make sure that you are drinking enough water to avoid dehydration and that you are getting enough calcium in your diet.

It's probably a good idea to limit your caffeine intake to 250mg per day (less if you are pregnant). Unfortunately, companies rarely label their products with the amount of caffeine that they contain. Here is a little chart to help you.

Drip Coffee (8oz)	95mg
Instant Coffee (8oz)	85mg
Decaf Coffee (8oz)	3mg
Espresso (1oz)	40mg
Coffee Ice Cream (1 cup)	50mg
Brewed Tea (8oz)	50mg
Instant Tea (8oz)	28mg
Iced Tea (8oz)	25mg
Snapple Tea	42mg
Cocoa (8oz)	6mg
Chocolate Milk (8oz)	5mg
Chocolate Bar	10mg
Mountain Dew	56mg
Diet Coke	47mg
Coke	35mg
Pepsi	38mg
Barqs Root Beer	23mg
NoDoz Max Strength	200mg
NoDoz Regular Strength	100mg