A lot of people in the world consume caffeine in one way or another. You see, this stimulant and psychoactive drug is used as ingredient in coffee, chocolates, beverages, soft drinks and tea. And of course, it is also found in some medications that people take, including over-the-counter pain killers. As caffeine has become a common substance and an integral part of our dietary lives, it is very important to look into its pros and cons.
List of Pros of Caffeine
1. It can help boost your mood and energy.
Any regular coffee drinker would know the mild energizing effect of caffeine on the body and would agree that it temporarily increases your energy levels. Research also found out that it can improve your mood when consumed moderately, as it helps with the release of dopamine, a bodily compound that acts as a neurotransmitter in the area of the brain that regulates alertness and productivity.
2. It can aid in making your mind work better.
Since it is a psychoactive stimulant, caffeine can increase your mental processes temporarily. Thus, it aids in concentration, as well as boosts mental energy levels and short-term memory function.
3. It helps reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Study shows that caffeine has shown the potential to cut down the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, which is a motor system disorder that results in muscle rigidity, poor balance and trembling. It is believed to help the body retain dopamine-transmitting brain cells, which are also the cells the disease tends to destroy.
List of Cons of Caffeine
1. It can cause weight gain.
The “high” caused by caffeine can increase your cravings for food, which may lead you to eating more food, especially sweets. The crash from caffeine consumption can also cause you to resort to sugar to increase your energy levels quickly.
2. It has negative effects on pregnant women.
Expecting women who consume excessive amounts of caffeine are risking themselves of miscarriage or giving birth to infants with reduced weight. Health experts recommend 200 milligrams of caffeine daily for pregnant women.
3. It can cause a lot of conditions when consumed excessively.
Like any other drug, caffeine can have unfavorable effects if you take it in large quantities. It has the potential to cause conditions, such as insomnia, indigestion, nervousness, irregular heartbeat, depression, anxiety and irritability. This stimulant can also increase blood pressure, which could put you at a high risk of getting heart disease, trigger a surge in blood sugar levels and even thought to decrease bone density in premenopausal women. It is also stated that excessive caffeine consumption can result to severe stomach problems, such as ulcers and lessened digestive ability, due to increased digestive acid levels. Withdrawal from caffeine can also cause you to have headaches and high stress levels.
If you are like the huge number of individuals around the world who love to consume caffeine via different means, remember that moderation is the key to enjoying its pros, while staying away from its cons.
Crystal Lombardo is a contributing editor for Vision Launch. Crystal is a seasoned writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She has been an editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 monthly readers.
