Caffeine the world’s most popular drug

Caffeine the world’s most popular drug
Caffeine is the world’s most popular drug, easily surpassing nicotine and alcohol. Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug and a mild diuretic (speeds up urine production) in humans and other animals. It is the only addictive psychotic substance that overcome resistance and disapproval around the world to the extend that it is freely available almost everywhere. Caffeine is sometimes called guaranine when found in guarana, mateine when found in mate, and theine when found in tea. It is found in the leaves and beans of the coffee plant, in tea, yerba mate, and guarana berries, and in small quantities in cocoa, the kola nut and the Yaupon Holly.

The History
Caffeine was discovered by a German chemist, Friedrich Ferdinand Runge, in 1819. He coined the term "kaffein", a chemical compound in coffee, which in English became caffeine. It was first extracted from coffee in 1821. The world first caffeinated soft drinks were created in the 1880’s. In 1958, caffeine was recognized by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as being Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

The Effects
Cola is the one of the most popular drinks in the world apart from tea and coffee. They taste and smell different, but all contain significant amounts of caffeine. Many people feel that caffeine increases their mental alertness. Higher doses of caffeine can cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches, and the jitters. Caffeine can also interfere with normal sleep.

For most people, the amount of caffeine in two to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful. However, too much caffeine can make the body restless, anxious and irritable. It may also keep us from sleeping well and cause headaches, abnormal heart rhythms or other problem.

Caffeine may also cause the body to lose calcium, and that can lead to bone loss over time. Drinking caffeine-containing soft drinks and coffee instead of milk can have an even greater impact on bone density and the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Latest research
The latest research shows that there is enough evidence that high consumption of soda and carbonated beverages is associated with somewhat lower bone mass in children, and that’s a real concern and people should be aware of it.

There was also a study that people who don’t consume caffeine on a regular basis; caffeine can cause a temporary but sharp rise in blood pressure. The reason is uncertain, but there is a suggestion that caffeine narrows blood vessels by blocking the effects of adenosine, a hormone that helps keep them widened. Caffeine also can stimulate the adrenal gland to release more cortisol and adrenalin, which cause blood pressure to increase.
Caffeine the world’s most popular drug