Smoothy Slim
Photo by Anastasia  Shuraeva Pexels Logo Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva

What does coffee do to your brain?

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused.

betterhealth.vic.gov.au - Caffeine - Better Health Channel
How does oatmeal affect the liver?
How does oatmeal affect the liver?

Oats may have protective effects for the liver as they contain a specific type of fibre called beta-glucan. One study showed that beta-glucan...

Read More »
What foods should you avoid after 50?
What foods should you avoid after 50?

Here are eight foods that you should cut down on (or avoid eating altogether) as you get older, and why: Raw or undercooked eggs, meat and poultry....

Read More »
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Caffeine is naturally found in the leaves and fruits of some plants. It is in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks and energy drinks. It may also be in chocolate bars, energy bars and some non-prescription medications, such as cough syrup and slimming tablets. Guarana (a popular additive in energy drinks) is also a natural source of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in your brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. In small doses, caffeine can make you feel refreshed and focused. In large doses, caffeine can make you feel anxious and have difficulty sleeping.

What does caffeine do to your body?

Caffeine is well absorbed by the body, and the short-term effects are usually experienced between 5 and 30 minutes after having it. These effects can include increased breathing and heart rate, and increased mental alertness and physical energy. Depending on the individual, these effects can last up to 12 hours.

Some of the signs and symptoms of having too much caffeine include:

a rise in body temperature

frequent urination

dehydration

dizziness and headaches

and rapid heartbeat (palpitations)

restlessness and excitability

anxiety and irritability

and irritability trembling hands

sleeplessness

first feeling energetic but then having an even greater feeling of tiredness.

How much caffeine is okay each day?

How you react to caffeine depends on your body mass, health and metabolism. It also depends on whether your body is used to getting regular doses of caffeine and how much you have in one serving. Research suggests that 400mg per day or less is an acceptable dose of caffeine for the general population.

Approximate caffeine levels per serve include:

chocolate drinks: 5–10mg per 250ml

instant coffee: 80–120mg per 250ml

drip or percolated coffee: 150–240mg per 250ml

Do beets help unclog arteries?
Do beets help unclog arteries?

Eating foods like beets that are rich in dietary nitrates may help improve blood vessel function and decrease inflammation, which may help prevent...

Read More »
Which exercise is best for heart?
Which exercise is best for heart?

Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have...

Read More »
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab
Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

espresso coffees such as espresso or latte: 105–110mg per 250ml

decaffeinated coffee: 2–6mg per 250ml

black tea: 65–105mg per 250ml

cola drinks: 40–49mg per 375ml

Red Bull energy drink: 80mg per 250 ml

energy drink: 160mg per 250ml

dark chocolate bar: 40-50mg per 55g serve

milk chocolate bar – 10mg per 50g serve

guarana: can contain up to 100mg per 1g of guarana

caffeine tablets such as No-Doz – 100mg per tablet.

Energy drinks and caffeine

Energy drinks contain caffeine, as well as ingredients such as taurine and guarana (a natural source of caffeine). Energy drinks do not hydrate and should not be confused with sports drinks. The caffeine and sugar content of energy drinks is high. In fact it is often higher than in soft drinks. The levels of caffeine in energy drinks vary between brands, so it is important to read the label before having them.

Children and pregnant women should avoid drinking energy drinks.

Caffeine dependency and withdrawal

Like many other drugs, it’s possible to build up a tolerance to caffeine. This means you become used to its effects on your body and need to take larger amounts to achieve the same results. Over time, you may become physically and psychologically dependent on caffeine to function effectively. If you are dependent on caffeine and you stop having it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These may include:

fatigue

crankiness

persistent headache

sweating

muscle pain

anxiety.

Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal may begin within 12 to 24 hours and can last about seven days. The easiest way for you to break caffeine dependence is to reduce the amount you’re having gradually. This gives your nervous system time to adapt to functioning without the drug.

Children, pregnant women, athletes and caffeine

Some people who need to take special care with caffeine include:

children – currently there are no guidelines for children's intake of caffeine. Caffeine intake should be investigated if children are showing symptoms of irritability, inability to sleep, interrupted sleep or stomach upsets. Remember that caffeine is present in many soft drinks and chocolate, not just coffee and tea. The consumption of energy drinks should also be closely monitored

What foods flush sugar out of your system?
What foods flush sugar out of your system?

Eggs, peanut butter, beans, legumes, protein smoothies, fatty fish, and nuts are all high in protein. An increase in healthy fat intake also helps...

Read More »
What can I add to water to lose weight?
What can I add to water to lose weight?

Weight Loss- Here are 5 best detox waters to help you burn fat during the summers: Lemon And Mint Detox Water. Lemon is the most used fruit during...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

– currently there are no guidelines for children's intake of caffeine. Caffeine intake should be investigated if children are showing symptoms of irritability, inability to sleep, interrupted sleep or stomach upsets. Remember that caffeine is present in many soft drinks and chocolate, not just coffee and tea. The consumption of energy drinks should also be closely monitored pregnant women – if you are pregnant, limit your caffeine intake to 200mg per day or less, or avoid it altogether. Having high amounts of caffeine may increase your risk of miscarriage, experiencing a difficult birth and having a baby with a low birth weight – if you are pregnant, limit your caffeine intake to 200mg per day or less, or avoid it altogether. Having high amounts of caffeine may increase your risk of miscarriage, experiencing a difficult birth and having a baby with a low birth weight athletes – caffeine is not classified as a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Code 2015 Prohibited List . The Australian Institute of Sport lists it as a Group A substance, which means it’s 'supported for use in specific situations in sport' and 'provided or permitted for use by some athletes according to best practice protocols'. However, check the anti-doping rules of your particular sporting code to make sure caffeine is not a restricted drug for the sport you play.

Where to get help

betterhealth.vic.gov.au - Caffeine - Better Health Channel
Should we eat sprouts daily?
Should we eat sprouts daily?

If you want to boost your immunity and keep several diseases at bay, soak your legumes and eat the super-healthy breakfast of sprouts. The process...

Read More »
What is the best natural anti histamine?
What is the best natural anti histamine?

Nettles. Nettle leaf is a natural antihistamine that naturally blocks histamine production. It can be made in to a tincture or tea, but for allergy...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Can Type 2 diabetics have V8 juice?
Can Type 2 diabetics have V8 juice?

V8 Juice: Original 100% Vegetable Juice All it will result in is higher levels of daily glucose and at your next A1C check, you're going to get a...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Which moisturizer is best with vitamin C serum?
Which moisturizer is best with vitamin C serum?

Plum 3% Vitamin C Moisturizer With Mandarin. Plum Vitamin C Moisturizer has a unique formulation of Vitamin C coupled with Vitamin E to moisturize,...

Read More »