Natremed

Caffeine, sourced from the berries of the coffee plant (Coffea arabica) and the cocoa bean was traditionally used as potent and powerful medicines. Coffee berries and nuts were eaten as a food to improve stamina & energy.

Today we know that the coffee berry is full of antioxidants. In today’s society caffeine is more famous for its side effects, which come as the result of too much caffeine or an overdose.

Caffeine metabolism:

The half life of caffeine is an average of six to seven hours¹. This means that it takes six hours for caffeine to leave your body. During pregnancy this rate is doubled¹, which is one reason why it is important to reduce your caffeine intake at this time. This time frame is dependant on your metabolism, liver function, body size, health, hydration and amount of caffeine you consume on a regular basis.

Detrimental effects of caffeine in the body:

• Tremors
• Headaches
• Palpations
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Nervousness/agitation
• Dehydration
• Impaired blood sugar regulation
• Increased bowel motions and frequency
• Bone demineralization: leaches minerals (such as calcium) from the bones ².
• Increased loss of water soluble vitamins (C, B complex)
• Reduces iron absorption

Cautions:

Caffeine should be avoided or reduced in the following conditions

• Pregnancy: Caffeine crosses the placental barrier and can have an increased absorption rate of 2.5% in the developing fetus. In the mother it leads to an increased loss of important water soluble vitamins and fluid. Consuming cola and other sweetened caffeinate beverages has been associated with gestational diabetes.
• Children: not suitable due to their small build and underdeveloped gastrointestinal system.
• ADHD: caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up the nervous system and brain, which is undesirable in a child with ADHD.
• High Blood Pressure (BP): Caffeine is a stimulant and diuretic and therefore increases BP¹ 
• Osteoporosis or those at risk: leaches minerals, especially calcium from the bones. Cola is even more problematic as it disrupted the delicate calcium: phosphorus balance, which leads to brittle, weaker bones².
• Poor sleep: caffeine has been shown, in numerous studies to promote wakefulness and reduce both the quality and quantity of sleep.
• Agitation/anxiety/panic attacks: shown to worsen these conditions.
• Urinary tract infections (UTI): Irritates the bladder lining, impairs absorption of important nutrients required to treat infections. Caffeine is acidic to the bladder and gastrointestinal tract. UT bugs thieve in an acidic environment.

Foods and beverages that contain caffeine:

• Coffee Coke/cola including Diet Coke and Coke Zero.
• Chocolate Black tea, green tea & chai
• Energy drinks such as ‘Red Bull’
• Some pharmaceutical medications, such as cold and flu, headache and allergy tablets, contain caffeine.

Reducing your caffeine intake:

Like most foods, caffeine is safe to take in small amounts. One cup of tea or coffee a day should not cause any problems (unless you have any of the conditions mentioned in the caution category). If you find yourself becoming dependent on a ‘caffeine fix’ to get you started in the morning or to keep you going in the afternoon, it is probably time to reduce your intake.

• If you consume caffeine out of habit, try substituting for one of the alternatives below.
• If you have cravings or feel you may be addicted to caffeine, take steps to reduce your intake slowly, as withdrawal can lead to quiet severe symptoms.

Other options:

How to get your energy boost without your daily dose of caffeine

• Herbal tea: There are many to choose from. Our personal favorites are peppermint, chamomile, lemon and ginger & mint teas. 
• Lemon juice in water: this drink is alkalizing & refreshing and can give you a natural zing.
• Caffeine free chai: Warming, circulatory stimulant, delicious tea, served with milk and sweetened with honey. The perfect cup on a winter afternoon
• Rooibos teas: Caffeine free teas. 
•  Roast dandelion root tea: gives you a similar ‘kick’ to caffeine and has a similar texture/appearance to coffee.

Reference:

1. Christina C. Lawson, Grace K. LeMasters and Kimberly A. Wilson, ‘Changes in Caffeine Consumption as a Signal of Pregnancy’ Reproductive Toxicology, Volume 18, Issue 5, July 2004, Pp 625-633 

2. Katherine L Tucker, Kyoko Morita, Ning Qiao, Marian T Hannan, L Adrienne Cupples and Douglas P Kiel, ‘Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study’, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006, Vol. 84, No. 4, Pp 936-942

3. Smits P, Thien T, van't Laar A, ‘Circulatory Effects of Coffee in Relation to the Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine’, American Journal of Cardiology. 1985, Vol 1, No. 56, Pp 958-63

By: Sophie Atkin