Kenyatta's Caffeine News Letter

MICDS NEWS

Is the ‘Buzz’ Worth It?

INSIDE:

What is Caffeine

B Y :

K E N Y A T T A

A S A N T E

N O V E M B E R

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What is Caffeine?

What Does It Do To You? The Ever Present Myth The Overdose It‟s a Drug?!

Where Can I Find It?

We all know of, or have heard of, caffeine, but what exactly is it? Dictionary.com defines caffeine as “a white, crystalline, bitter alkaloid, C8H10N4O2, usually derived from coffee or tea: used in medicine chiefly as a nervous system stimulant“ Now, you may think “Oh, well that’s not too bad. Its no problem if I drink coffee, right?” or “So what? I need my Red Bull™!”. All of which are answers given

without the deep, intellectual knowlegde of what caffeine affects, and how potentially dangerous it is.

In this news letter, you be informed of the dan-

gers and cautions of caffeine.

Everything from the addictive quality, to the possibility that a cup of coffee can cause a heart attack. Explore the numerous health problems it can cause, or the results of an overdose in caffeine.

And the most popular caffeine myth of all time, will it stunt your growth? All of these answer and details found within. Educate yourself!

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What Does It Do to You? Of course, caffeine will affect individuals. It is the main reason it is consumed.

The following reasons would be why 54% of Americans drink coffee daily.

   The nervous system; caffeine’s main victim.

 

Reduces boredom Decreases depression Increased alertness when tired Increases physical stamina and reduces perceived exertion May attenuate the re-



sponse-slowing effect of alcohol Increases performance on boring, repetitive tasks

All of which fairly positive, but there are several negative affects as well.





Increases anxiety and nervousness at high doses or in sensitive individuals Insomnia, decreased abil-

ity to sleep  Caffeine withdrawal can worsen mood  Caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, flu-like symptoms, feelings of lethargy and reduces motivation Increases jaw tension and bruxism (teeth grinding) Does the positive out way the negative? Perhaps, for now.

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The Ever-Present Myth Most likely, the first thing that you thought of when you saw the word “caffeine” was “Does it really stunt your growth?” The answer is, no.

No conclusive study has been found between the correlation of growth patterns and caffeine. Well, not in teenagers and adults anyway. If a pregnant mother consumes too

Coffee and caffeinated tea are drank world-wide. Is it stunting everyone's growth?

CAFFEINE

The human heart. Is it under attack?

growth patterns and many other things all depend on the difference between height, potential height and caffeine.

There are even people, taller than 6’2”, that drink coffee in excess. It is just too difficult to calculate. Therefore, when your parents say “Don’t drink that, it’ll stunt your growth” tell them with confidence that it will not.

Overdose = Unexpected Results Did you know that you can, in fact, overdose on caffeine?

Caffeine overdose (“caffeinism”) varies according to the amount and potency of the caffeine consumed and personal differences. Doses of caffeine from 250 to 750 milligrams (2 to 7 cups of coffee) can cause restlessness, dizziness, nausea, headache, tense muscles, sleep distur-

bances, and/or irregular heartbeats. Some of which, is widely known, and not a huge eyeopener for most.

The real shocker is this: doses of caffeine over 7 cups of coffee can cause all of the above as well as a reaction similar to an anxiety attack, including delirium, drowsiness, ringing ears, diarrhea, vomiting, light

flashes, difficulty breathing, and/or convulsions (in cases of an extreme overdose). Besides caffeine's effects, the essential oils of coffee may cause gastrointestinal irritation and diarrhea, and the high tannin (substance with a tanning effect) content of tea can result in constipation.

None of which is fun. So try not to drink too many Monsters™, you may regret it.

That Last, Fatal Cup?!

Researchers found in a recent study that occasional coffee drinkers are 60% more likely to have a heart attack in less than an hour of ingesting said coffee. Researchers at Brown University School of Medicine, in Providence, claim that this only applies to individuals that drink the beverage occasionally, and http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/ img/people/anatomy/heartdiagram.gif

much caffeine, the developing fetus may not be as big as it is meant to be. That, however, is the only scale on which this can be determined. There are too many unknown variables in the equation for adolescent and adult testing. Amount of what kind of nutrients are consumed, how tall they should have been, hereditary

IS

THE

„BUZZ‟

not regular participants.

The basis of this claim is that the liquid causes a short -term increase in the blood pressure and also enhances nervous activity. The heart attack is brought about because a moderate coffee drinker’s body is not accustomed to these changes. The heart attack comes from physiological shock.

WORTH

Dr. Ahmed ElSohemy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Toronto stated to the public that if you lead a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle and/or if you already have multiple heart attack risk factors should completely steer clear of the drug. Even so, the risks for that “jolt” isn’t worth it.

BY:

KENYATTA

ASANTE

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It’s a Drug?!

According to Dictionary.com, a drug is “a chemical substance, such as a narcotic or hallucinogen that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addiction.” Caffeine does that exactly. When it enters the body, it is quickly absorbed in the blood, and travels all around the body. This makes it so that it easily interacts and affects the nervous sys-

tem. It does not need to be said that caffeine in coffee, soda, or energy drinks affects behavior. That is normally why it is consumed intentionally, to get more energy or to stay alert.

Now, the “addiction” question. Caffeine is addictive according to several definitions of 'addiction'. It causes withdrawal symptoms after periods of heavy use

Where Can I Find It? Caffeine is found in: 

Coffee (even decaffeinated)



Soda/Cola



Energy Drinks



Energy Pills



Metabolism/Weight Loss Supplements and Medications



Chocolate



Collectively, more that 60 different plants species

(most commonly headaches) and regular users develop a tolMaybe what a person‟s brain erance and experience cravings when ceasing use. does when in “need” of cafRegular users can also be- feine. come emotionally and http:// mentally dependent upon ajunkyard.files.wordpress.com/200 their daily caffeine, whether 9/09/caffeine1.jpg it is coffee, soda, Monsters™, or Red Bull™.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000 survey concluded that 43% of elementary schools, 89.4% of middle/junior high, and 98.2% of senior high schools had either a vending machine or a school store, canteen, or snack bar where students could purchase foods or beverages.

A study done by CSPI found that of the drinks sold in the 13,650 vendingmachine slots surveyed, 70% were sugary drinks such as soda, juice drinks with less than 50% juice, iced tea, and "sports" drinks. Of the sodas, only 14% were diet, and only 12% of the drinks available were water. Just 5% of drink options were milk but of those, most (57%) were high-fat, whole, or 2% milk.

All this means is that there is more caffeinated snacks and beverages available to teenagers.

Bib

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Brown University Health Education. "Energy Drinks, Caffiene at Family Guide." Teen substance abuse, children's mental health, Family Guide. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http:// family.samhsa.gov/monitor/energydrinks.aspx>.

Chawla, Jasvinder. "Neurologic Effects of Caffeine: eMedicine Neurology." EMedicine - Medical Reference. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1182710overview>.

Dugdale, David C. "Caffeine in the diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ medlineplus/ency/article/002445.htm>.

Erowid. "Caffeine Vault : Effects." Erowid. Web. 24 Nov. 2009. <http://www.erowid.org/ chemicals/caffeine/caffeine_effects.shtml>.

Lupu, Alexandra. "A Cup of Coffee May Cause a Heart Attack - Occasional coffee drinkers are 60% more likely to have a heart attack in no more than one hour after they have sipped from a cup of coffee - Softpedia." Latest news - Softpedia. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. <http:// news.softpedia.com/news/A-Cup-Of-Coffee-May-Cause-A-Heart-Attack-33063.shtml>.

For More Information Contact: MICDS Resource: Mr. Mike Skinner Room 45 in Upper May Hall He is a High School Biology and Animal Behavior teacher. He is well-read in how different solutes affect the body.

Local Organization:

National Organization:

Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine

The Caffeine Awareness Program

Number: (314) 286-2252

Number: (815)572-8007

Ask For: The Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group

Ask For: John, Secretary of The Caffeine awareness Program