Caffeine Craze

Caffeine is a normal ingredient in everyone’s morning cup of Joe, but is too much a bad thing? Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the body, temporarily increasing awareness and alertness. Stimulants act on the body by increasing the activity of the SNS (sympathetic nervous system), or fight or flight response. Coffee and sodas increase a sense of euphoria, making you feel better for a short time, and then you get in a slump and need more. Coffee, chocolate, and teas are good sparingly throughout the day because they have phytochemicals and antioxidants that help in reducing cancer.

Sodas, on the other hand, aren’t so good for you. They contain empty calories with no health benefit. Caffeine reduces calcium absorption. It is also one of the reasons why Americans have become obese. Sodas contain high fructose corn syrup which helps in increasing your hunger and makes you want another Coke. I’ve seen people drink Coke like it’s water and this has adverse effects on them. Too many soft drinks can lead to dehydration because of the caffeine which causes you to have increased micturation (urination). Also, too many Cokes or energy drinks in a period without adequate replenishing with water can not only lead to dehydration, but also diarrhea, vomiting, shock, and could lead to heart problems. For every eight ounces of caffeinated beverages you drink, you need to replace the water you’re losing by drinking sixteen ounces of water.

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photo credit: students.umf.maine.edu