I happen to be a highly caffeinated individual. I love my [caffeinated] lattes, and there’s no one who’s gonna take them away from me! That said, I also know several people who swear caffeine is the devil and won’t touch the stuff. Still, I know that I am not in the minority- it’s quite the opposite! Around 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine in one form or another every single day. More than half of all American adults consume more than 300 milligrams (mg) of caffeine every day, making it America’s most popular drug by far.

So, how does it work you ask? Caffeine actually blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter in the brain (adenosine) that otherwise makes us feel tired. This is why it works so well to keep us awake. It also encourages the release of another brain chemical, dopamine (as well as adrenaline). Dopamine contributes to a feeling of well being. Historically, small amounts of caffeine have been used to help control weight, alleviate pain, open up airways for improved breathing, and overcome chronic fatigue. Studies have shown caffeine to boost memory, improve concentration and perhaps lower the risks of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and liver cancer.

A daily dose of caffeine may help older women without dementia protect their memory, according to a study published in the Aug. 7 issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (article link below). The researchers theorize that caffeine’s adenosine blocking ability in turn may prevent damage caused by beta-amyloid - a toxic substance that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study found this to be unique to women, however. Finding did not indicate why caffeine didn’t have the same effects in men.

There is such a thing as too much of anything, and too much caffeine can cause an array of problems including: restlessness, irritability, anxiety, heartburn, headaches (sometimes severe), high blood pressure, sleeplessness, rapid heartbeat, nausea. I think there are several factors which determine how your body reacts to caffeine. One is the type of caffeine you’re using. If an espresso give you the jitters and you experience some of the side effects listed above, then you may want to try using a different source, such as green tea, a soda, or even regular drip coffee.

The other factor is timing and dosage. Many people must plan ahead for their caffeine intake to be effective. For instance, eat a nice big breakfast with your caffeine in the morning to slow down it’s absorption into the body, and limit your amounts of caffeine late in the afternoon and evening.

In the end, every person is different and some bodies are just too sensitive to caffeine’s effects- making it seem (I’m sure) like the devil! If you find yourself fairly reactive to caffeine, but would like to enjoy some of it’s effects, try some smaller doses. If you’re not sure where to start, try the Caffeine Database, which lists all sorts of food and their caffeine contents.

W ant to learn More? Here are some great places to start.

• Pros and Cons of the Caffeine Craze
• How Caffeine Works
• Coffee: The New Health Food?
• Caffeine May Slow Women’s Memory Loss

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