Ah, what would we do without our early morning pick-me-up caffeinated beverage? Caffeine is the world’s most-used and least-regulated psychoactive drug. According to a study in 2014, 85% of US’ers consume it on a daily basis in either coffee, tea, cola or chocolate. Caffeine is found in the leaves and seeds of plants that come from around the world, and falls into a group of molecules called Methylxanthines, which also include theobromine (more abundant in chocolate) and theophylline (more abundant in tea). These molecules are part of the defense mechanism of the plant, jazzing and jittering attacking insects into herbivore paralysis.
Caffeine and it’s sister methylxanthines have many effects, but the one generally known is to boost alertness and diminish fatigue. It does this by temporarily blocking the receptors for adenosine in our body. Adenosine accumulates during the day and when it reaches a certain level, we become fatigued and head for bed, or a nap. Caffeine interrupts this effect, peaking about an hour after consumption, and creates a temporary feeling of energy and focus. Caffeine has also been shown to be helpful to calm asthmatic conditions, boost physical and aerobic performance, and help in migraine relief.
When is caffeine not such a good idea? If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, caffeine can be passed to the baby, leading to infant restlessness (as if parenting wasn’t hard enough). If you have a sleep or anxiety disorder, non-caffeinated choices are probably better for you. Caffeine increases the secretion of gastric juices, and so could contribute to heartburn. And apparently, in this study of post-menopausal women, caffeine was noticed to increase spinal bone loss, thus increasing the risk for osteporosis.
So then, what about decaf? Can it be done at home? Turns out no; simply steeping tea or coffee for a short while, and then discarding that initial brew does not appreciably decaffeinate the beverage. When coffee or tea is “decaffeinated” it is processed with either water or chemicals to selectively dissolve and remove most of the caffeine. Depending on how much of a beverage puritan you are, you might have either a “meh” reaction about decaffeination, or be totally horrified, and choose to drink something else.
Caffeine is a complicated little molecule, with both positive and negative effects. The average 8 oz cup of coffee contains 100 mg, and the average 8 oz cup of black tea, about 50mg. It’s advised that healthy adults consume no more than 400mg/day. Choose the right levels for you so you can buzz along happily (and not jitter) during your day.
