How Does Caffeine Affect You?

Photo by Chelseagirl.

Take a second to count the number of cups of coffee or black tea you drink a day. Now consider this: these caffeine-containing beverages have zero nutritional value. Caffeine, which is immensely addictive, is found in chocolate, some sodas and many over-the-counter cold, cough and pain medications, where it’s valued for its stimulating effects.

Caffeine can elevate the mood, energize, delay fatigue, and stimulate the central nervous system. It can also cause hands to tremor and the heart to palpitate. So, why is caffeine our national drug of choice?

I think coffee shops can be special places when people sit together and enjoy conversation, slow down for a moment, read, write, think. But when people go in for a fix, there usually isn’t much time for conversation–it’s a quick stop for a to-go order before you rush off for your next appointment. 

Caffeine feeds our cultural addiction to speed and our fast-paced lifestyles. There are numerous reports on this topic, all of which you are welcome to sift through on PubMed. I suggest you take your time and sit down at coffee shop (with a nice cup of herbal tea), as you will need a lot of time and most of them offer complimentary Internet.

Effects on Central Nervous System:

• Caffeine affects the central nervous system, and can result in nervousness, irritability, insomnia, “restless legs,” dizziness
• Caffeine can exacerbate anxiety and lead to panic attacks

Effects on the Heart:

• Caffeine raises the blood pressure
• Caffeine can cause or aggravate heart rhythm disturbances

Effects on Digestion:

• Caffeine aggravates ulcers and heartburn
• Caffeine stimulates acid secretion in the stomach
• Caffeine has a laxative effect on the body and can create a dependency

Effects During Pregnancy:

• Caffeine crosses the placenta and effects the fetus.
• Caffeine can also be found in breast milk

Effects on Vitamins & Minerals:

• Caffeine is a diuretic substance by nature, and causes loss of key nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc
• Caffeine reduces absorption of iron and calcium

Next time you are reaching for a latte, consider a cup of herbal tea instead. One of Dr. Nishant’s favorite is a roasted dandelion tea, here is a simple recipe to try.

Dr. Igor Schwartzman practices naturopathic medicine with a strong emphasis in women's health, hormone imbalances, and thyroid disorders at Whole Family Wellness Center in Portland, Oregon. He is a co-founder of WellWire.com.