February 2, 2004 Hello! Is caffeine really bad for you? "The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) classified caffeine as Generally Recognized
As Safe (GRAS) in 1958. A more recent review 'found no evidence
to show that the use of caffeine in carbonated beverages would render
these products injurious to health.' "[M]oderation and common sense are the keys..." "Higher doses of caffeine
can cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches, and the jitters and can
interfere with normal sleep. Very high doses of caffeine -
if you were to drink many cups of coffee in a day or take a
box of No-Doz™ - would be harmful to the body. Caffeine
is addictive and may cause withdrawal symptoms - such as severe
headaches, muscle aches, temporary depression, and irritability
- for those who abruptly stop consuming it....The amount of caffeine
needed to affect each person differs. Caffeine sensitivity refers
to the amount of caffeine that will produce an effect in someone.
This amount varies from person to person." How much is safe for you?
With some medical conditions,
such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, a person's body may be
so sensitive that doctors advise: "Don't drink coffee or sodas
that have caffeine in them," and "Don't eat foods or drink Even in those without such
conditions, "Caffeine exhibits a number of biological effects
resulting from its diuretic and stimulant properties. Research has
shown that some sensitive individuals experience side effects such
as insomnia, headaches, irritability and nervousness. As with any
substance, there can be numerous other contributing factors, but
Canada's Guidelines to Healthy Eating advises consumers that limiting
caffeine is a wise precaution." If you are experiencing negative side effects, chances are you are ingesting more caffeine than is right for you. Some people might be experiencing side effects and be unaware that caffeine could be the cause. Others might not even be aware that they are experiencing the side effects. "Dehydration is a
common side effect of drinking too much caffeine. Although you may
think you're getting plenty of liquids, caffeine works against
the body in two ways: it has a dehydrating effect on the body's
cells and increases the need to urinate. It's particularly
important for active teens who play sports to drink noncaffeinated
beverages each day to avoid dehydration. Finally, large amounts
of caffeine may cause the body to lose calcium and potassium, causing
sore muscles and delayed recovery times after exercise." Other factors that might affect how much caffeine is okay for you include your age and weight. "A recent review undertaken
by Health Canada has considered the numerous studies dealing with
caffeine and its potential health effects. It has re-confirmed that
for the average adult, moderate daily caffeine intake at dose levels
of 400-450 mg/day is not associated with any adverse effects. Data
has shown, however, that women of childbearing age and children
may be at greater risk from caffeine. Consequently, as a precautionary
measure, Health Canada has developed additional guidelines for these
two groups. The following recommended maximum caffeine intake levels
are based on the most current research available.... So how much caffeine is
in what you eat and drink?
Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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