1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione (C8H10N4O2), most commonly known by its common name Caffeine, is an organic compound found in many plants, but it is most popularly known to come from coffee beans(the seed of the coffee plant); however, caffeine can also be made synthetically (PubChem). Caffeine has been around for thousands of years; it was believed that humans have consumed this compound since the Stone Age. It is believed that our ancestors chewed seed that contained this molecule to promote alertness, delay the onset of fatigue and to improve overall mood. Other historians believed that start of the consumption of caffeine dates back to around 3,000 B.C.; “According to a Mongolian legend, the Emperor of China Shennong accidentally discovered
…show more content…
In today’s society, it is estimated from a study done by the Villanova University that about 90% of Americans consume caffeine in one form or another.
Caffeine is commonly found in food and drinks such as coffee, energy bars, tea etc. It is known as the world’s most popular psychoactive drug, it is known to increase alertness and delaying the onset of fatigue. Looking at the structure of caffeine in Figure I and comparing it to the structure of Adenosine in Figure II, it is apparent that these two compounds look quite similar; this similarity explains how caffeine works. Adenosine is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that binds to receptor cells in the brain, which in turn has a calming effect; however, what caffeine does is it blocks these receptors before adenosine can bind diminishing its calming effect. Instead of calming the nerves, caffeine stimulates the nerves causing increase in alertness and delaying the onset of …show more content…
It is true that caffeine consumption provides a myriad of benefits to the body; however, it also has its drawbacks. It is general knowledge that caffeine promotes alertness and delays the onset of fatigue; which is very important in today’s fast paced society. However, caffeine consumption have also been linked to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. According to a research done by the Harvard School of Public Health an “inverse association” exists between caffeine consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Also, caffeine consumption has been linked to lowering the risk of Parkinson’s disease; researchers in the U.S. have concluded that “higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson's disease". Furthermore, caffeine consumption has also been linked to lowering the risk of liver cancer and lowering the incidence of liver diseases. Other benefits also include: lower risk of heart failure, body detox, caffeine acting as an antioxidant etc. Although there are numerous benefits of caffeine consumption, it also has its fair share of drawbacks. One of this drawbacks is that caffeine consumption has been identified to cause anxiety and depression. According to a study done at the University of Oklahoma, people that consumed caffeine at a regular basis experienced sudden changes in mood and behavior. Furthermore, people that already have
In today’s society, it is estimated from a study done by the Villanova University that about 90% of Americans consume caffeine in one form or another.
Caffeine is commonly found in food and drinks such as coffee, energy bars, tea etc. It is known as the world’s most popular psychoactive drug, it is known to increase alertness and delaying the onset of fatigue. Looking at the structure of caffeine in Figure I and comparing it to the structure of Adenosine in Figure II, it is apparent that these two compounds look quite similar; this similarity explains how caffeine works. Adenosine is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that binds to receptor cells in the brain, which in turn has a calming effect; however, what caffeine does is it blocks these receptors before adenosine can bind diminishing its calming effect. Instead of calming the nerves, caffeine stimulates the nerves causing increase in alertness and delaying the onset of …show more content…
It is true that caffeine consumption provides a myriad of benefits to the body; however, it also has its drawbacks. It is general knowledge that caffeine promotes alertness and delays the onset of fatigue; which is very important in today’s fast paced society. However, caffeine consumption have also been linked to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. According to a research done by the Harvard School of Public Health an “inverse association” exists between caffeine consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Also, caffeine consumption has been linked to lowering the risk of Parkinson’s disease; researchers in the U.S. have concluded that “higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson's disease". Furthermore, caffeine consumption has also been linked to lowering the risk of liver cancer and lowering the incidence of liver diseases. Other benefits also include: lower risk of heart failure, body detox, caffeine acting as an antioxidant etc. Although there are numerous benefits of caffeine consumption, it also has its fair share of drawbacks. One of this drawbacks is that caffeine consumption has been identified to cause anxiety and depression. According to a study done at the University of Oklahoma, people that consumed caffeine at a regular basis experienced sudden changes in mood and behavior. Furthermore, people that already have