Negative Effects of Caffeine
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011Caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system (CNS) that increases the speed of message transmission to and from the brain. The chemical name of this substance is 1,three,7 – trimethylxanthyine. It is among the popular and widely employed drugs round the globe. It is mostly located in a lot of plant species like coffee, tea, kola nuts, cacao pod and guarana paste. This drug, also known as “wake-up” stimulant that causes a lot of negative effects on the human body. Caffeine within the body activates the secretion and production of cAMP -phosphodiesterase enzyme which is converted into cyclic AMP over a period of time. This method once more triggers the production of protein kinase A that further initiates the phosphorylation and glucose synthesis.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine that are formed for the duration of this method increase the heart rate and gastric acid secretion. Theophylline and paraxanthine that are the resultants of the method of metabolism of caffeine, increase heart rate and release fatty acid respectively. Though this stimulant is mostly utilized to overcome fatigue, restore alertness and increase concentration, still it has numerous side-effects. The negative effects of caffeine on the body in general, on pregnant woman and children will be discussed here.
Negative Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body
Cardiovascular Effect
Caffeine overdose is capable of contributing to increased blood pressure and results inincreased left heart ventricular output, tachycardia and increased stroke volume.
Panic Attack
The studies have shown that caffeine within the human body can activate hyperarousal or acute stress response. But when the caffeine present inside the human body exceeds, the acute stress response is altered into a panic attack. Shaking hands, excessive sweating and hyperventilation are some of the typical signals of panic attack.
Breast Abnormality
The consumption of caffeine have also increased the chances of abnormality inside the breast. This sometimes lead towards the abnormal development of the lumps within the breast that might be painful. These lumps are due towards the irregular menstrual cycle and hormonal imbalance because of caffeine.
Diuretic Effect
Is caffeine a diuretic? The answer is yes, it increases the flow of urine that simultaneously causes lack of water inside the body is among the most typical negative effects of caffeine. The dehydration caused due to it can even lead to end of life. The caffeinated drugs really should be avoided especially within the circumstances that lead to sweating throughout warm weather or exercises.
Deficiency of Calcium
The consumption of caffeinated drinks and beverages drains away the calcium from the body. The deficiency of calcium increases the chances of osteoporosis and reduces the bone density.
Negative Effects of Caffeine For the duration of Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Intake of 200 gm of caffeine, either orally or by means of injection have doubled the risk miscarriage in comparison towards the women who do not take caffeine at all. The caffeine affects the baby via the placenta and hinders the development of the brain and heart of the baby.
Rise in Blood Pressure
Caffeine and blood pressure go hand-in-hand. The rise in blood pressure may also be observed because of the stimulant property of the caffeine. The rise generally worsens the situation caused by pre-eclampsia within the second trimester of pregnancy. The increased blood pressure hinders the flow of blood inside the placenta and thus, has negative impact on the fetus.
Low Weight of Fetus
As the caffeine interrupts the growth of the unborn babies and so the weight loss or low birth weight is observed inside the babies whose mothers consume caffeine. Some times premature labor is also observed due towards the intake of this drug.
Dehydration
Dehydration is observed for the duration of pregnancy too that leads to diuretic situation. The loss of fluid via urinary tract and kidney can lead to premature labor and drop in amniotic fluid level.
Negative Effects of Caffeine on Children
Addiction
As said earlier, caffeine is actually a CNS stimulating drug which addicts the consumers. The addiction to caffeine leads to withdrawal symptoms when this addictive drug is not available for consumption. Essentially the most typical caffeine withdrawal symptoms are depression and irritability. Read the article on caffeine withdrawal side effects for more information.
Nervousness
Caffeine increases the rate of heart beat and causes irritation and nervousness in children. It makes the child’s mind unstable thus, making it difficult for him to concentrate. Sometimes caffeine is also responsible for elevating the already existing heart problems in children.
Sleeplessness
Children start off feeling drowsy and may possibly have effects for couple of hours right after taking caffeine. If caffeine is taken prior to sleeping, then 1 might face lack of sleep or insomnia. When a child becomes addicted to caffeinated beverages, then soon after some time his sensitivity towards caffeine might reduce.
Dehydration
As in adults and pregnant women, diuretic in children is also observed as among the the negative effects of caffeine. The loss of water is observed due to excess of urination. So, the consumption of water really should be increased to compensate for the loss of water. The excessive loss of water might be fatal for the duration of the hot weather.
Toxic Effects
The consumption of caffeine of just four.five mg per weight of the body which is equivalent to four soda cans can have grave effects on kids. They might feel symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea,, muscle twitching and cramps. Some medicines even react using the caffeine to cause severe side effects.
After learning about the negative effects of caffeine, the consumption of caffeinated drinks and beverages really should be decreased to a minimum. Caffeinated drinks, if taken moderately has a lot of health benefits, but as soon as it becomes an addiction leads to grave aftermath. So, to stay away from these side effects of caffeine do not let it grow to be an addiction.