About 90 percent of people worldwide drink or consume caffeine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, energy drinks and various other foods. Caffeine consumption affects the central nervous system, including the spinal cord, nerves and the brain. It does offer some health benefits when consumed in moderation but can be harmful in excess. Talk to your doctor about how much caffeine is right for you.
Sleep
When you are sleeping, a chemical in the brain called adenosine is inhibited from being released by brain receptors. When you're awake, however, this is the chemical that is active in your brain. Adenosine is part of group of chemicals called xanthine, according to the University of Minnesota Psychology Dept., which is the same chemical group of caffeine. Caffeine can interrupt the natural process that adenosine goes through on a daily basis, which can affect your sleep patterns.
Brain Function
Consuming caffeine can help to increase alertness, energy level and concentration. These are the primary benefits of caffeine when consumed responsibly. According to the FDA, caffeine typically begins affecting brain function very quickly and reaches peak level in the bloodstream within about an hour. It can stay in your system for up to six hours. Consuming a caffeinated beverage may be beneficial for healthy people who need a boost of energy for a workout or for those finding it hard to concentrate during a test or at work.
Moderation
Not surprisingly, moderation is the key to benefiting for caffeine. According to the FDA, most doctors suggest adults consume between 100 mg and 200 mg of caffeine per day. This is equivalent to one or two cups of coffee. Consuming caffeine late in the day can adversely affect the adenosine cycle as you try to sleep. While you may fall asleep, you may not reach a level of deep sleep. This can lead to headaches, mood swings and drowsiness the following day. It's an unhealthy cycle to fall into, because it can wreak havoc on your brain's natural functions. The solution is to not consume any caffeine within six hours of bedtime.
Brain Chemicals
Aside from resembling and manipulating the adenosine cycle, caffeine also affects other chemicals in the brain. According to the University of Minnesota, caffeine can cause the pituitary gland to release an increased amount of adrenaline, which explains the boost of energy associated with consuming caffeine. It can also increase dopamine levels in the brain, which produces a euphoric effect. This can be dangerous because it has additive properties similar to amphetamines. Monitor your intake of caffeine to be sure you're not gradually increasing your intake, as this may be a sign your tolerance for the stimulant is increasing. This may cause you to consume more caffeine each day, which can then lead to heart problems, headaches, anxiety, dehydration and lack of sleep.
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