What Is Caffeine? Other Names: Cafeina, Caffeine Sodium Benzoate, Triméthylxanthine

What is Caffeine?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Caffeine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance that is widely consumed across the globe. It is found in various foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, cocoa, energy drinks, and certain medications. This article explores the nature of caffeine, its effects on the human body, and its applications in different contexts. Other names include: 1,3,7-Trimethyl-1H-purine- 2,6(3H,7H)-dione, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, 1,3,7-triméthylxanthine, 3,7-Dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione, Anhydrous Caffeine, Cafeina, Caféine, Caféine Anhydre, Caféine Benzodate de Sodium, Caffeine Sodium Benzoate, Caffeine Anhydrous, Caffeine Citrate, Caffeinum, Citrate de Caféine, Citrated Caffeine, Methylxanthine, Méthylxanthine, Trimethylxanthine, Triméthylxanthine.

Chemical Nature and Sources

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant belonging to the methylxanthine class. It is most commonly found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. Additionally, caffeine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, soft drinks, and over-the-counter medications1 4 6.

Effects on Sleep

Caffeine consumption can significantly impact sleep patterns. It has been shown to prolong sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), reduce total sleep time, and decrease sleep efficiency. Caffeine also reduces the amount of slow-wave sleep, which is the deep, restorative phase of sleep, and increases wakefulness and arousals during the night. These effects are more pronounced in older adults and vary among individuals due to genetic differences in caffeine metabolism1.

Health Implications of Caffeine

Positive Effects

Caffeine is known for its performance-enhancing properties, particularly in the context of physical exercise. It can increase power output, endurance, and resistance to fatigue, making it a popular ergogenic aid among athletes. Caffeine does not appear to cause dehydration or ion imbalance when consumed before exercise3 8 9.

Negative Effects

Despite its benefits, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to several adverse health effects. High doses of caffeine can cause insomnia, jitteriness, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. In extreme cases, caffeine toxicity can result in seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and even death. Vulnerable populations, such as infants, psychiatric patients, and athletes, are at higher risk of caffeine-related adverse effects2 6 10.

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects

Caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity, potentially affecting glucose metabolism. This effect is likely due to the increased release of catecholamines, such as epinephrine, which can elevate plasma free fatty acids and reduce insulin-mediated glucose uptake5. Additionally, habitual caffeine consumption up to 400 mg per day is generally considered safe for non-pregnant adults, while pregnant women are advised to limit their intake to 200 mg per day to avoid potential risks to the fetus6 7.

Applications in Medicine

Caffeine has several medical applications. It is used to treat apnea in premature infants and is also employed in metabolic phenotyping and liver function testing due to its predictable pharmacokinetics. Caffeine metabolism primarily occurs in the liver, where it is broken down by the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system into metabolites such as paraxanthine, theobromine, and theophylline4.

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Caffeine Mechanism of Action

Caffeine primarily exerts its effects by antagonizing adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation. By blocking adenosine receptors, caffeine reduces the feeling of tiredness and increases alertness and wakefulness. This mechanism also leads to the release of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which further enhance mood and cognitive function4 5.

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Adverse Effects of Caffeine

Cardiovascular Effects

Moderate caffeine intake (up to 400 mg/day) is generally not associated with adverse cardiovascular effects in healthy adults1 3 5.

Initial caffeine consumption can increase blood pressure, but tolerance to this effect develops over time2.

High doses of caffeine can lead to cardiovascular issues, especially when combined with other stimulants like MDMA4.

Behavioral and Psychological Effects

Caffeine can cause increased nervousness, irritability, and insomnia, which do not diminish with continued use2.

Gender differences exist, with women more likely to report negative effects such as anxiety and gastrointestinal issues compared to men6.

Reproductive and Developmental Effects

Pregnant women should limit caffeine intake to 300 mg/day to avoid potential adverse reproductive and developmental effects1 3 5.

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is linked to adverse gestational outcomes and may cause long-term epigenetic changes9.

Effects on Children and Adolescents

Limited data suggest that children and adolescents should restrict caffeine intake to 2.5 mg/kg body weight/day to avoid adverse effects1 3 5.

Excessive caffeine consumption in these groups can lead to sleep disturbances and other negative health outcomes8.

Interactions with Other Substances

Caffeine can exacerbate the toxicity of other stimulants, such as MDMA, leading to severe acute and long-term health issues4.

Severe Adverse Events

Products containing caffeine, especially energy and pre-workout supplements, are associated with a higher risk of severe adverse events, including death, compared to non-caffeinated products7.

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How has Caffeine Improved Patient Outcomes?

Neonatal Care and Apnea of Prematurity

Caffeine therapy in preterm neonates significantly reduces the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and other morbidities when administered early (within the first 2-3 days of life)4 6 7 8.

Long-term follow-up studies indicate that neonatal caffeine therapy improves motor function and visuomotor, visuoperceptual, and visuospatial abilities in children at 11 years of age, although it does not significantly impact academic performance or behavior1 9.

Postoperative Recovery

Caffeine does not significantly reduce postoperative opioid consumption or improve neuropsychological recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery3.

In cancer patients, caffeine as an adjuvant to opioid therapy significantly reduces pain and drowsiness, although the clinical significance of these findings is limited7.

Chronic Disease Management

Caffeine consumption is associated with a probable decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease and type-2 diabetes, as well as certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases2.

In patients with Parkinson’s disease, caffeine shows potential benefits in improving motor function, though its effect on excessive daytime sleepiness is equivocal5.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Type 2 Diabetes

Caffeine supplementation does not significantly improve hepatic, metabolic, or inflammatory indices in patients with NAFLD and type 2 diabetes, except for a minor reduction in total cholesterol levels10.

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Common Complaints Associated with Caffeine Use

Anxiety and Nervousness

High caffeine intake can produce symptoms similar to anxiety neurosis, such as nervousness, irritability, and tremulousness3 9.

Abstainers from caffeine often report jitteriness and nervousness when they consume caffeine1.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Caffeine consumption can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, including upset stomach and nausea1 3.

Sleep Disturbances

Caffeine use is associated with insomnia and other sleep-related issues2 3.

Regular caffeine users may experience sleepiness and irritability when they do not consume caffeine1.

Headaches

Both high caffeine intake and caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches3 4 5.

Dependence and Withdrawal Symptoms

Caffeine withdrawal can lead to symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and drowsiness, which can last about a week4 5 7.

Some individuals may develop a dependence on caffeine, experiencing difficulty in reducing consumption despite health problems6 7 8.

Psychological Effects

Moderate caffeine intake may decrease anxiety in specific populations, such as postmenopausal females with overactive bladder symptoms2.

Caffeine use can exacerbate existing psychiatric conditions and is associated with a higher risk of psychiatric and substance use disorders9.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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