The Dark Side of Caffeine Articles | Coffee

By: Darren Williger

You can’t have Luke Skywalker without Darth Vader. You can’t have day without night. We live in a world of opposites and dualisms. No drug comes without the ability to both help and harm. Caffeine is no different although, unlike many other drugs, fatal overdoses are practically unknown. One would have to sit down and drink about 100 cups of coffee in a row to receive a fatal dosage. That isn’t to say that caffeine doesn’t have the potential for causing health problems.

Stomach acid production is increased through the ingestion of caffeine, especially when it’s done by drinking coffee. For this reason, most patients suffering from ulcers are advised by their doctors to lay off coffee, though they should also beware of soft drinks and any other product with high caffeine levels. The one exception to this seems to be tea. Because tea contains so many other nutrients that are beneficial to health, in addition to containing only moderate amounts of caffeine, most ulcer patients can stomach it. However, it is a myth that caffeine actually causes an ulcer. While it certainly can aggravate the condition, there is no evidence linking caffeine to the creation of open sores in the stomach lining.

One of the effects of caffeine has on the body is to raise blood pressure, resulting in a more rapid heart rate. There has been no consensus on how caffeine consumption affects the risk of heart attack. Some studies have indicated a connection, while others suggested that caffeine actually helped in the prevention. A major study recently released has added fire to this debate by bringing genetics into the mix. The study indicates the existence of a gene that either speeds up or slows down the metabolization of caffeine in the body. Those coffee drinkers who metabolize caffeine quickly appeared to have a reduced risk, while those who metabolize slowly appeared to increase their risk of heart attack.

Many of the unwanted side effects of caffeine are linked to either the time of the day and the amount being ingested. Most people are aware that it is a stimulant, but few realize how potent its effects can be. For some people, consuming the amount of caffeine in a 20oz soft drink or just one cup of coffee any time after noon can be enough to produce a restless night. The average person can probably afford to set a deadline at least two or three hours before bedtime as their cutoff point, however, and still manage to get to sleep pretty easily.

Excessive consumption can lead to a syndrome known as caffeinism. In addition to sleeping problems, those who ingest large amounts of caffeine are subject to increased feelings of anxiety, a rapid heartbeat, and tremors. Not to mention more frequent—and longer—trips to the bathroom. If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, check how much caffeine you are putting into your body during the day and begin a plan of cutting back. Don’t cut back too much too quickly, however, or you will trade up from symptoms of caffeinism to symptoms of withdrawal. And that’s much worse. You can find much more information about caffeine withdrawal elsewhere on this site.

In addition, if you are a woman or are concerned about the effects of caffeine on a female friend or family member, you will find more information. The detrimental effects of caffeine on pregnant women or those suffering osteoporosis are important to know.
Although caffeine doesn’t affect children in any special way, its influence on sleep and personality can be great. Most pediatricians recommend extreme moderation of caffeine consumption for children, but there is good news as well. Contrary to one of the oldest of old wives tales, caffeine does not stunt a child’s growth.