Caffeine is an alkaloid found in coffee, tea, cacao, and some other plants. It is also present in most cola beverages. Caffeine was discovered in coffee in 1820. In 1838 it was established that theine, discovered in tea in 1827, is identical to caffeine. The drug increases the blood pressure, stimulates the central nervous system, promotes urine formation, and stimulates the action of the heart and lungs. Caffeine is used in treating migraine because it constricts the dilated blood vessels and thereby reduces the pain (Barone, Roberts, 1984). It also increases the potency of analgesics such as aspirin, and it can somewhat relieve asthma attacks by widening the bronchial airways.
Caffeine, totally lacking in nutritional value, does not add taste, texture, or color to a soft drink. Caffeine affects children and adults similarly (Grobee et al 1999). A stimulant, caffeine can interfere with sleep and may affect children who are sensitive to it. In addition, because caffeine is a diuretic that causes the body to eliminate water, it can contribute to dehydration. Caffeine is an especially poor choice in hot weather, when people need to replace water lost through perspiration. In addition, people who drink lots of caffeinated beverages may miss getting the calcium they need from milk to build strong bones and teeth. Caffeine can boost energy temporarily, but lots of caffeine can also make heart have to beat faster and work harder.
Though scientists don't know for sure, many think that caffeine may be linked to cancer and heart diseases in adults. Also, caffeine is believed to make it hard for your body to absorb calcium. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it can cause you to become dehydrated which means that body gets weak from not having enough water (IFT, 1987). On a hot day or after playing sports, we need to............
