High Blood Pressure Caffeine » Caffeine Effects On Blood Pressure

Does Green Tea Have Caffeine?

high blood pressure caffeine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:52:14 +0000

You have heard all about green tea how it has many health benefits and could even help you lose weight. Nevertheless, you may be wondering does green tea have caffeine? Moreover, if so how much? To many diet products depend on caffeine to stimulate calorie burn, and too much caffeine can have a detrimental effect on health so it is important to know.

Caffeine

Green tea actually contains about a third of the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee. It contains two coffee metabolites, theophylline, and theobromine.

Thophylline is caffeine like substance that is actually more potent than caffeine. It should be noted that the presence of this substance in green tea is merely a trace amount. Nevertheless, the properties of it should be discussed. The main actions of this substance are as follows:

• Relaxing the bronchial muscle • Increases heart muscle function • Raises heart rate • Increased blood pressure • Increases renal blood flow • Anti-inflammatory effects • Stimulates the central nervous system Theobromine is the weaker of the two caffeine like substances found in tea. It is most commonly found in the cocoa plant but is also present in tea to a lesser degree. The positive effects of theobromine are: • Blood vessel dilator • Diuretic • Heart stimulant • Anti cough effect better than codeine • Effective in asthma as it relaxes the smooth muscles including those found in the bronchi.

The benefits of these two substances are noted when using extracts of them. The amount in green tea is much lower than recommended therapeutic dosage. The lower levels in it can still be beneficial and at the very least not as harmful as traditional caffeine intake.

Conclusion

Does green tea have caffeine? Yes but in smaller amounts than coffee. The difference with green tea is the fact that the tealeaves are not oxidized. This means that the tealeaves have not been processed in a manner, which releases oxygen, and therefore have retained all their nutrients.

Nutrients present in green tea include, iron, potassium, carotene, and vitamins B1, B2, A, C and D. These nutrients are what make this type of tea a healthy alternative to other caffeinated beverages.

The fact that the answer to the question, does green tea have caffeine, is yes does not mean that green tea is bad for you or should be avoided. Taken responsibly it is better for you than most of the alternatives.

Caffeine: Can it Cure Parkinson’s Disease?

high blood pressure caffeine — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:51:36 +0000

Caffeine’s medical use for treating Parkinson’s disease is a subject of much debate. However, in my opinion, caffeine cannot help without causing harm. In my book “The Truth about Caffeine” I explain that excessive caffeine ingestion depletes the dopamine somatic cell. While you may ingest caffeine at a reasonable level, as you become more dependent on it, your demand will increase. As with any drug, the body quickly discovers how to render caffeine’s effects void, demanding larger quantities to feel any further stimulation. Several risks, along with death can accompany large dosages of caffeine.

Most caffeine consumers actively seek the boost of dopamine, for their brains to be stimulated, in order to feel more motivated, intense sensations and raised mental acuity. Caffeine is one of the most sought after brain stimulates, that many people take to secrete a sudden burst of dopamine, just like other brain stimulants. Dopamine is a neuro-transmitter, the brain’ chemical messenger which is responsible for energy level, vigilance, alertness, reaction time, spontaneity, etc. Yet, this neuro-transmitter is responsible for addiction to stimulates as well.

Heavy caffeine ingestion not only reduced the amount of dopamine, but also dopamine creating brain cells. You then feel weary and tried. Yet, more caffeine is consumed returning the rush of energy. This is a cycle of constant depletion of dopamine somatic cell.

Dopamine declines with age, however caffeine and other stimulants accelerate the dopamine decline and speed up the process of the brain aging. A large reduction of dopamine somatic cell is termed Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease suffers can benefit with dopamine flow stimulated by caffeine. Yet, before the disease’s symptoms are noticeable, 70 to 80 percent of the dopamine somatic cell are forever lost.

Caffeine leads to the development of other health problems. While caffeine accelerate the production of stress hormones, the adrenal glands become exhausted. Right into the bloodstream goes the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol, when the adrenal gland receives the message from our pituitary gland, in our brain, that is all started from a single cup of a caffeinated drink.

We feel a surge of blood as stress hormones are send out, typically while in an extreme situation. The quick “pick-me-up” from caffeine actually comes from a stress hormone. The stress hormones are send out as part of our defence system, activated by caffeine. But, eventually, this defence mechanism weakens.

The glands get completely expended to a point where they are unable to secrete enough hormones, because caffeine continuously sends its artificial adrenalin. Seeking that familiar energy burst, caffeine addicts increase their ingestion, putting more stress on the glands that are struggling to adapt with their demands. Consequences will occur, as this cycle continues.

Gradually, adrenal depletion occurs for caffeine consumers. Excess production by the stress hormones, become toxic, later changing the blood composition, leading to destructive alterations in the endocrine, immune and nervous systems.

The logical conclusion could be any or this entire group; chronic fatigue, higher blood sugar and insulin levels, weight gain, raised blood pressure, irritation, tension, depression, sleeping problems, frequent virus outbreaks, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other warning signs of health deterioration.

Author Biography:

Marina Kushner is the founder of the Caffeine Awareness Alliance, a non-profit organization, which sponsors National Caffeine Awareness Month and is held annually in March across America. Ms. Kushner is an authority on caffeine and the detrimental effects it has on the body and mind. Her latest book called “The Truth About Caffeine” explores the historical and social impact of the drug throughout the ages while offering healthy alternatives to its usage. www.TruthaboutCaffeine.com

Caffeine, Coffee & Parkinson’s Disease – the Untold Truth

high blood pressure caffeine — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:51:03 +0000

There Is A Lot Of Controversy Regarding A Study That Suggests That Caffeine Can Treat Parkinson’s disease. It seems to me, that caffeine is going to cause harm, no matter how it may help. Most people would be surprised to discover, how high caffeine ingestion cuts down the amount of dopamine neurons, well documented in my book, “The Truth About Caffeine”. While you may ingest caffeine at a reasonable level, as you become more dependent on it, your demand will increase. When the body gets used to caffeine it cancels its effect, like any drug, needing a growing ingestion to regain its potency. Yet, huge amounts of caffeine invites destruction and possible fatalities.

As our brain is stimulated from the ever so popular caffeine, dopamine is let out providing us with alertness, motivation and uplifted feelings. Similar to various drugs, caffeine is sought after for a fast surge of dopamine, as it stimulates our brain. Dopamine is the brain’s neuro-transmitter that is in charged of messages effecting our reaction speed, mental alertness, spontaneity, watchfulness and energy capabilities. Moreover, dopamine is responsible for our stimulant addiction.

Excessive caffeine ingestion leads to over-stimulation and depletion of dopamine-producing brain cells. As a result, you feel, fatigued, and exhausted. And, consume more caffeine in order to feel better. Thus, the cycle of continuous depletion of dopamine is maintained.

Caffeine picks up the pace of reduction of dopamine, along side the natural reduction from aging. Parkinson’s disease is defined as a severe lessoning of dopamine neurons. Those with Parkinson’s disease gain from caffeine’s stimulation on dopamine secrete. Without being aware of symptoms of this disease, the amount of lost dopamine neurons rises up to 70 to 80 percent.

Damage to your health in all sorts of areas can stem from caffeine. Caffeine increases creation of stress hormones that depletes the adrenal glands. Only a sole cup of a beverage with caffeine in it, activates a message to our brain, the pituitary glands, to secrete a message to the adrenal glands to open the hormonal stress chemicals cortisol and adrenalininto our bloodstream.

A warm sensation of blood overwhelms us as the stress hormones are released, during risky circumstances. Our surge of energy is the direct result of a stress hormone being released, not caffeine. Caffeine works as a potent stimulator and irritant which signals the body’s defence responses which then releases the stress hormones. Later on, this defence response gets worn out.

As caffeine ingestion relentlessly sends its artificial adrenalin, the glands become spent and lose their capacity to secrete sufficient hormones. The glands are not able to satisfy the caffeine consumers addiction to getting one more burst of caffeine energy. The logical results of this cycle will become apparent.

The adrenal gland of heavy caffeine consumers becomes emptied, as the time goes on. Overproduction of stress hormones on a regular basis, become toxic, and after a while changes the blood composition that harms how the immune, endocrine and nervous system function.

The consequences might be one or all of these situations; repeating fatigue, raised blood sugar and insulin levels, weight gain, higher blood pressure, irritation, tension, depression, sleeping disorder, frequent virus outbreaks, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other disturbing messages of health deterioration.

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Caffeine in Chocolate – Should You be Concerned?

high blood pressure caffeine — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:49:14 +0000

Chocolates do contain caffeine, but the amount varies based upon the variety and serving size. However, the stimulating effect we get from eating chocolates, which some equate to the effects of drinking coffee, is not caffeine! Rather, it comes from an ingredient in chocolates that give us a natural high which is called theobromine. Theobromine’s effects are generally longer lasting on the nervous system compared to coffee. It promotes blood flow and brain activity. This is one of the reasons why chocolates are lethal to animals because of the effects on their nervous systems. On the other hand, humans can produce chemicals that work well with the ones found in chocolates.

Caffeine is known to stimulate the central nervous – it is a xanthine alkaloid found in the coffee tree’s leaves and beans. Caffeine is found in small doses in cacao and kola nut which is also an ingredient in making cola beverages. It has been found to be an effective natural pesticide in plants Chocolates, which are made from cacao beans, contain small amounts of caffeine but does not provide the same effects compared to the caffeine found in coffee. Chocolate is also considered a stimulant due to its theophylline and theobromine content.

Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid found in the cacao plant from which chocolates are made. It is also called xantheose and belongs to the methylxanthine class of chemical compounds similar to theophylline and caffeine. (Why do all chemical names have to be so complicated?) The name theobromine comes from Theobroma which is a classification of the cacao tree. Even though there are similarities to caffeine, it’s effect on our central nervous system is substantially less. The effects of theobromine have contributed to the belief that chocolates are aphrodisiacs. In addition it is known to increase heartbeat and dilate blood vessels which helps reduce blood pressure.

So, while there is some caffeine, it is less than coffee. A brewed cup of coffee ranges between 80-135 mg and espresso has about 100 mg. But exactly how do your gourmet chocolates compare? Well, that definitely depends upon which one of the chocolate flavors you prefer! The following is a table of caffeine and theobromine contents found in chocolates:

Caffeine Theobromine

Therefore, while your gourmet chocolates contain a small amount of caffeine, the stimulating effect we get from eating them isn’t caffeine-based. Instead, that feel good, natural high is obtained from the chemicals found in chocolates. Therefore this is certainly stimulating news for those that enjoy the delicious taste of their chocolates as well as the delicious feelings that come along with them!

How To Kick The Caffeine And Lose Weight

high blood pressure caffeine — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:48:57 +0000

Caffeine is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug, with nearly 80% of the world’s population consuming it on a daily basis in the form of coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, and chocolate. While the health benefits and ills of caffeine have been hotly debated for years now, with some people saying its great and others demonizing it (and its history as a colonizing monocrop in much of S. America), caffeine has never ceased holding an uncontested place in the urban myth-dominated world of weight loss . As a diet aid it has been added to countless weight loss shakes, pills, and even, yes, colonic cleanses. But does caffeine help shed the pounds as well as we have always assumed? It now appears that caffeine is, indeed a red herring of a weight management drug.For years it was assumed that it was the stimulant properties of coffee that helped people to lose weight by increasing the metabolism and supressing appetite. New studies, however, have led many researchers (and the Mayo clinic in particular) to discourage caffeine as a weight loss aid. It appears that it is the diuretic properties of caffeine that play a part in ‘weight loss’ and that the pounds lost are water weight and not fat. Furthermore, caffeine has actually been shown to increase appetite instead of supressing it. Other ways that caffeine falls short as a diet aid: * Caffeine elevates the stress hormone cortisol, which is partly responsible for increased heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. Circulation of oxygen to the brain and extremities is decreased and the immune system is suppressed.In the end cortisol disrupts natural metabolism and studies have shown weight gain, especially around the abdomen in people with raised cortisol levels. Increased abdominal fat then leads to more stress hormones being released from the body…creating a viscous cycle. * Caffeine increases insulin resistance as part of the stress response. This can lead to diabetes and heart disease. It also raises blood glucose levels which increase appetite. * Caffeine puts stress on the adrenal system–one of the systems that helps detoxify the body and cleanse the blood. If the body cannot detox it is harder to effectively use the nutrients in food and eliminate properly. * Caffeine has been shown to lead to higher levels of serum cholesterol. * Getting caffeine through soft drinks floods your body with unhealthy sugars, choosing diet sodas introduces chemicals that can actually slow the metabolism, and coffee and tea can be laced with pesticides that add toxicity to the body, impeding weight loss.Coming from a family that kept a pot of coffee on at all hours (you never know who will stop by!) and introduced to caffeine at an early age, I fight this addiction every day of my life. But I know that cutting down on caffeine is not only good for your body, it is good for your mind and your emotions as well–we are calmer and more focused without caffeine and our bodies and metabolisms are able to function how they are intended to, without added stress. Our energy will be more sustained, our sleep deeper and more productive, and our appetite and weight more natural. Many of us, after getting over the initial first days of caffeine addiction, realize that what we are most addicted to is the ritual of caffeine–the morning cup of coffee or tea, the lunchtime soda, the little pick-me-up treat that is our way of taking care of ourselves. We don’t have to give this up! We can replace it with healthy alternatives–Chicory–Down in New Orleans, the coffee is made with chicory. This root is roasted and ground as a coffee additive and substitute and has been used for hundreds of years-especially in southern Europe. Like roasted dandelion, chicory is an amazing liver tonic–enhancing both liver and gallbladder function. It also flushes the kidneys, relieves uric acid build–up, prevents urinary infections, and reduces blood sugar. It is a good substitute for coffee in that it has a nutty, roasted flavor. A great morning replacement.Roasted Dandelion Root– With a flavor remarkably similar to coffee, roasted dandelion is a great substitute. It is rich in trace minerals and micronutrients and rich in inulin, which can help manage diabetes. The bitterness in it is a good stimulant for digestion as well and dandelion root tea is simple to make at home, using all those pesky dandelion roots from the yard (just make sure they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides!)Ginseng–Great as a tea with peppermint (another refreshing pick-me upper), ginseng is a great source of stamina boosting, energy enhancing wonderfulness. Ginseng is an adaptogen, which means it increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds energy and general vitality. It is also great for the immune system.Yerba Mate– This South American tea is at the center of a great debate on whether or not its active compound, mateine, mimics caffeine enough to actually be called caffeine. However, in studies, those sensitive to caffeine do not experience the side effects with mate that they do with coffee (such as jitters, headaches and heart palpitations). Mate also contains hosts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and the ritual of preparing and drinking it can be a great one to adopt.The Bubbly–For those of you who are soda drinkers, sometimes it is true that it is the carbonation you most crave. Instead of imbibing on all that high fructose corn syrup, try making your own natural soda instead, with mineral water and a squeeze of citrus or a splash of fresh juice. Creating a carbonated lemonade or limeade–sweetened with stevia or agave nectar is a great favorite of mine when I am looking for something refreshing in the afternoon. The lemons are great for detoxing your body, the sweetener is all natural, and the carbonation can really help kick the pop habit

Parkinson’s Disease: is Caffeine the Cure?

high blood pressure caffeine — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:48:48 +0000

Once a medical study was published on the application of caffeine for treating Parkinson’s disease, it stirred up a lot of controversy. Yet, I look at caffeine as a two edged sword, a risky thing to use regardless of any contribution it might make. In my book “The Truth about Caffeine” I explain that extravagant caffeine intake depletes the dopamine neurons. An individual will continue to want bigger quantities of caffeine, no matter what amount he started consuming. Just like other substances, our body adapts itself to caffeine, negating its potency so that only heightened amounts still provide an effect. Yet, huge amounts of caffeine invites destruction and possible fatalities.

Motivation, alertness and even emotional peaks stem from dopamine being released by the highly desired caffeine, as it energizes the brain. Caffeine is one of the most sought after brain stimulates, that many people take to release a sudden burst of dopamine, just like other brain stimulants. Dopamine is the brain’s neuro-transmitter that is in charged of messages effecting our reaction speed, mental alertness, spontaneity, watchfulness and energy capabilities. Moreover, dopamine is responsible for our stimulant addiction.

Large quantities of caffeine can quickly expend the levels of dopamine and diminish the production of dopamine creating brain cells. This results in feeling tried and out of energy. And, consume more caffeine in order to feel better. Dopamine levels fall repeatedly with this relentless cycle.

Dopamine declines with age, however caffeine and other stimulants accelerate the dopamine decline and speed up the process of the brain aging. Parkinson’s disease is defined as a severe lessoning of dopamine neurons. Due to caffeine’s stimulating effect on dopamine output, people with Parkinson’s disease can benefit. Previous to seeing any signs of this diseases, 70 to 80 percent of dopamine neurons have vanished.

Various other health difficulties are caused by caffeine. The tension hormone output by the adrenal glands is dangerously accelerated by caffeine. A single caffeinated drink is plenty to start the brain, pituitary gland, sending messages to the adrenal gland to let out the tension hormones adrenalin and cortisol directly into our bloodstream.

We feel a surge of blood as tension hormones are send out, typically while in an extreme situation. The burst of energy we get from caffeine is actually a tension hormone rush. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant along with being an irritant that asks the body’s defence system to respond by releasing our tension hormones. Later on, this defence response gets worn out.

As caffeine intake relentlessly sends its artificial adrenalin, the glands become spent and lose their capacity to release sufficient hormones. The caffeine consumer starts to increase larger amounts, adding additional tension on the glands, that can’t keep up with the demands of the addiction. These events will not go on without consequences.

The adrenal gland of heavy caffeine consumers becomes emptied, as the time goes on. Negative changes happen in the correct operation of the immune, endocrine, and nervous system as daily overproduction of tension hormones, which too much are poisonous, gradually altering the blood makeup.

Any or all of these situations may eventually happen; chronic fatigue, higher levels of blood sugar and insulin, weight gain, heightened blood pressure, irritation, tension, depression, sleeping disorder, common viral infections, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other dangerous signs of severe health difficulties.

Author Biography:

Parkinsons, Caffeine & Coffee – the Untold Truth

high blood pressure caffeine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:50:20 +0000

There Is A Lot Of Controversy Regarding A Study That Suggests That Caffeine Can Treat Parkinson’s illness. However, in my opinion, caffeine cannot help without causing harm. Most people would be surprised to discover, how high caffeine ingestion cuts down the amount of dopamine nerve cell, well documented in my book, “The Truth About Caffeine”. And, even if a person consumes it moderately, sooner or later, he will increase his dosages. When the body gets used to caffeine it cancels its effect, like any drug, needing a growing ingestion to regain its potency. Yet, huge amounts of caffeine invites destruction and possible fatalities.

Motivation, alertness and even emotional peaks stem from dopamine being released by the highly desired caffeine, as it energizes the brain. As all other brain stimulant and heavy drugs, people use caffeine to stimulate the brain for the quick acceleration of dopamine. As the chief neuro-transmitter, dopamine performs as a messenger for the brain, taking care of the vitality levels, vigilance, acuity, ability to respond, spontaneity and similar functions. Moreover, dopamine is responsible for our stimulant addiction.

Heavy caffeine ingestion not only reduced the amount of dopamine, but also dopamine creating brain cells. You then feel weary and tried. To fix this, you reach for another dose of caffeine. This is a cycle of constant depletion of dopamine nerve cell.

The process of aging’s taking away dopamine is greatly increased with caffeine ingestion. Parkinson’s illness is the result of a serious reduction of dopamine nerve cell. Those with Parkinson’s illness gain from caffeine’s stimulation on dopamine secrete. However, approximately 70 to 80 percent of dopamine nerve cell are irreversibly lost before the symptoms of illness become noticeable.

Various other health difficulties are caused by caffeine. The adrenal glands empty as caffeine expands the production of our tension hormones. Right into the bloodstream goes the tension hormones adrenalin and cortisol, when the adrenal gland receives the message from our pituitary gland, in our brain, that is all started from a single cup of a caffeinated drink.

A warm sensation of blood overwhelms us as the tension hormones are released, during risky circumstances. The stimulation delivered from caffeine is really from a tension hormone. Caffeine is a strong stimulant and an irritant that triggers the body’s defense response by releasing the tension hormones. Later on, this defense response gets worn out.

Through consuming caffeine, you secrete an ongoing quantity of fake adrenalin and wear out the glands to a point that not enough hormones can be secrete. Looking to experience the former adrenalin jolt, a caffeine user begins to increase his caffeine ingestion, placing more pressure on the glands, which cannot cope with the addict’ demands. The logical results of this cycle will become apparent.

In the near future, the people that consume caffeine suffer from adrenal depletion. Overproduction of tension hormones on a regular basis, become toxic, and after a while changes the blood composition that harms how the immune, endocrine and nervous system function.

The logical conclusion could be any or this entire group; chronic fatigue, higher blood sugar and insulin levels, weight gain, increased blood pressure, irritation, stress, depression, sleeping problems, frequent virus outbreaks, ulcers, thinning of the skin, bone loss, thyroid problems, and other warning signs of health deterioration.

Caffeine Blues: Ten Ways Caffeine Harms Your Health and How To Kick The Habit

high blood pressure caffeine — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:04:54 +0000

Caffeine is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the world. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the world’s population consumes caffeine on a daily basis. The most common dietary sources of caffeine are coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate. After ingesting caffeine, it is completely absorbed within 30 to 45 minutes and then its effects diminish within about three hours. As many caffeine drinkers can attest, when you ingest high levels of caffeine, you may feel your mood soar and then plummet, leaving you craving more caffeine to make it soar again. While caffeine is eventually excreted so there is no accumulation in the body, it has been shown to adversely affect mood, stamina, stress levels, the cardiovascular system, and gastric health, to name a few.
10 Consequences of Caffeine Consumption
1. Caffeine is highly addictive. Like other drugs, caffeine causes a chemical addiction within the brain. Quitting coffee or soda can create withdrawal symptoms – headaches, sleepiness, irritability, anxiety – while the brain’s chemistry readjusts.
2. Caffeine exacerbates mood disorders in adults and children. Mood disturbances such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and attention disorders are aggravated by chronic caffeine consumption. Rather than increasing mental activity as many caffeine drinkers believe, caffeine actually decreases blood flow to the brain by as much as 30% and negatively impacts memory and mental performance. Mood disturbances may appear after the stimulant effect of caffeine wears off – often about three hours later prompting many to consume more caffeine – and they may also appear during the recovery period after quitting caffeine.
3. Caffeine increases stress. Caffeine stimulates the secretion of stress hormones – cortisol (adrenaline) from the adrenal glands – which can increase levels of anxiety, irritability, muscular tension, indigestion, insomnia, and decreased immunity. Continued stimulation of the adrenal glands can ultimately lead to adrenal exhaustion, which leaves a person vulnerable to a variety of health problems including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Because of chronically increased stress hormone levels, caffeine consumption can render some incapable of making healthy responses to the stressful situations that occur in their daily lives.
4. Caffeine accelerates bone loss. Caffeine causes the urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and trace minerals, which can lead to osteoporosis.
5. Caffeine contributes to blood sugar problems. Caffeine stimulates a temporary surge in blood sugar creating a quick burst of energy; however, increased blood sugar triggers an insulin spike, which ultimately causes a sugar crash within hours. This blood sugar rollercoaster can contribute to diabetes, hypoglycemia, and weight gain because insulin triggers the body to store excess sugar as fat.
6. Caffeine affects your heart’s health. Because caffeine acts as a stimulant, it increases pulse and blood pressure. It also contributes to the development of heart disease because caffeine increases cholesterol levels as well as a chemical called homocysteine, which has been linked to heart attacks.
7. Caffeine affects your stomach acid. Caffeine causes your stomach to produce extra hydrochloric acid (HCL), which creates an increased risk for ulcers, heartburn, and gastro-esophageal reflux.
8. Caffeine accelerates aging. Caffeine contributes to the decline in production of hormones produced in abundance during youth – DHEA, melatonin, and others – which speeds the aging process. Because caffeine dehydrates the body, skin loses water from its cells, causing wrinkling and sagging.
9. Caffeine affects normal sleep patterns. Because it is a stimulant, caffeine keeps you awake longer, thereby shortening the amount and the quality of sleep each night, which takes a toll on your level of alertness the next day and overall health. Because of sleep deprivation and fatigue, a person might look to caffeine for a boost, thereby perpetuating the vicious cycle.
10. Caffeine increases the risk for male and female health problems. Studies show that caffeine increases the risk for prostate and urinary problems in men. In women, fibrocystic breast disease, PMS, osteoporosis, infertility problems, miscarriage, low birth weight infants, and menopausal problems such as hot flashes are aggravated by caffeine.
Kick the Caffeine Habit
Weaning yourself off of caffeine requires patience and perseverance, just like detoxifying from any other drug addiction. While some people can successfully quit by eliminating caffeine all at once, most people will need to gradually reduce the amount of caffeine they consume in order to minimize suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
* Here is an example of a gradual schedule: 3 cups of coffee or soda per day in the first week; 2 per day during the second; 1 during the third; and none during the fourth.
*Another strategy is to gradually replace coffee with decaf: During the first week, when you make your coffee, use 3/4 regular and 1/4 decaf; the second week, use 1/2 and 1/2; the third week, use 1/4 regular and 3/4 decaf; the fourth week, you’re drinking decaf!
* If you are a soda drinker, you can gradually replace your soda with sparkling water and/or caffeine-free soda.
* Whatever strategy you choose, it is important to drink plenty of water and to get plenty of sleep to assist with the detoxification process.
Because caffeine consumption is so commonplace, it is easy to become complacent about the potential health hazards. However, given the mounting research, it is important to ‘wake up’ to the hidden dangers your morning coffee creates. Make a positive choice for your health and kick the caffeine habit today!

Who Else Wants to Know The Story On Caffeine

high blood pressure caffeine — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:45:47 +0000

What’s the Story on Caffeine? An astonishing four out of five Americans consume caffeine every day, causing the Center for Science in the Public Interest to label caffeine as America’s “most popular stimulant,” and the “drug” most frequently and casually consumed.
And our national caffeine consumption may be higher than reported. Sales of “energy pills” are on the rise, yet a look at the ingredient list of many popular products often reveals guarana, mate, bissy nut, or cola nut, which are all simply herbal sources of caffeine. Ma huang and Chinese ephedra are herbal sources of ephedrine, another central nervous system stimulant.
The effects of caffeine in the body are linked to our “hardwired” biological stress-response mechanisms. Because life has always presented hazards, the human body is designed to react quickly and decisively to dangerous situations.
When triggered by “watch out!” signals such as loud noises, rapid movement, strong odors, and more, the body automatically produces both physical and chemical responses.
Surges of adrenaline heighten your mental awareness and sensitivity and prime your muscles for demanding movement such as jumping or running. Your pupils dilate, your breathing quickens, and eventually your natural cooling system kicks in and you start to sweat.
A single 250-milligram serving of caffeine (the equivalent of about 2.5 six-ounce cups of coffee) has been shown to increase levels of adrenaline by more than 200 percent. Caffeine also stimulates the production of norepinephrine, another stress chemical that acts directly on the brain and nervous system.
With daily use, caffeine can elevate levels of another stress chemical known as cortisol. Together, these bio-chemicals can increase heart rate and blood pressure and produce that “emergency” feeling. In a real-life emergency, all these survival mechanisms would help you get out of the way of a charging elephant or the 5:05 commuter train.
But what happens to the body when you are triggering a full-blown “fight or flight” response at regular intervals throughout the day, every day? The fact is that caffeine doesn’t produce energy.
It stimulates your nervous system and adrenals, which is actually a form of stress on the body. Caffeine intake has been linked to increased blood pressure.
Research shows that people who consume more than 250 milligrams of caffeine per day (remember, that’s what you’d get in 15 ounces of coffee) tend to have poor sleep quality. One study showed that 250 milligrams of caffeine decreased whole-brain cerebral blood flow by 30%. Other studies have found that caffeine reduces the oxygen level of brain tissue.
Research also shows that caffeine may be more damaging to women, producing adverse effects at lower intake levels. Women eliminate caffeine from their bodies more slowly than men, and this rate also changes significantly with the menstrual cycle. Other compounds,found in unfiltered coffee, have been linked to elevated cholesterol levels.
If you boil your coffee or drink espresso, which isn’t filtered, you may want to limit how much you drink. Caffeine intake may also trigger a negative cycle of unhealthy behavior. Research shows that heavy coffee-drinkers also tend to smoke more, drink more alcohol, and eat more fatty foods than non coffee drinkers.
I like the taste of coffee just as much as anyone else, so it was hard to do, but when I finally cut down on my caffeine intake, I did see a very positive increase in my health, I lost weight, and found that, overall, I had increased and more constant energy levels.

Caffeine and Coffee: the Good Side

high blood pressure caffeine — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:43:36 +0000