Acceptable Addiction? Health Benefits and Risks of Caffeine Consumption
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HEALTH Acceptable Addiction? Health Benefits and Risks of Caffeine Consumption diAnA peChter ‘12 t gets us out of bed in the morn- tionally, caffeine may play a preventa- substances in food, caffeine has a long ing, it makes us functional in the tive role in sunlight-induced skin can- history of safe use, and there is over- Iafternoon, it keeps us awake on the cer, due to the function of caffeine in whelming scientific evidence that, drive home from work, and it is one of protecting DNA from damage (3). The when consumed in moderation, caf- the most consumed dietary ingredi- link between coffee consumption and feine has no adverse health effects (7). ents throughout the world. What is this the risk for developing type 2 diabetes wonder drug that erupted in popularity mellitus has been investigated in several in the second half of the 20th century? studies. While one study did not recom- How much is too much The answer: 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, mend increasing coffee consumption to caffeine? known more commonly as caffeine. A prevent type 2 DM until more research widely used central nervous system becomes available, it asserted that rou- According to the diagnostic crite- stimulant, caffeine provides many tine coffee consumption was associated ria from DSM-IV TR, the consumption benefits to human health and perfor- with lower risk of type 2 DM (4). A re- of caffeine in excess of 250 mg, more mance. In the past decade, research- cent study by Michel Lucas indicates re- than 2-3 cups of brewed coffee for com- ers have been hard-pressed to find a duced risk of depression in women with parison, can cause caffeine intoxication, source of mass panic regarding caffeine increased caffeine consumption (5). which is defined as a set of symptoms consumption, nor have any deadly dis- Many studies have associated that develop during or shortly after caf- eases been strongly enough caffeine- caffeine with weight reduction and feine use (8). Developing five or more linked to elicit social aversion—as management. Research has demon- of the following symptoms shortly after evidenced by the frequently long lines strated the role of caffeine in increas- caffeine consumption would be enough at Starbucks every morning. It seems ing metabolic rate, energy expendi- for a diagnosis of caffeine intoxica- that findings suggest the contrary, that ture, lipid oxidation, and lipolytic and tion: restlessness, nervousness, excite- caffeine can be a reducing risk fac- thermogenic activities, which are all ment, insomnia, flushed face, dieresis, tor in type2 diabetes mellitus (DM) favorable components of weight man- gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle and obesity and a symptom-reducer agement and possible weight loss in twitching, rambling flow of thought in variety of diseases. The risks of caf- humans (6). These results, however, and speech, tachycardia or cardiac ar- feine consumption, however, such as should be taken with caution, since this rhythmia, periods of inexhaustibility, intoxication, withdrawal, and depen- study involved the caffeine intake from or psychomotor agitation (9). A small dence, should not be ignored. In order green tea (not coffee); green tea exerts amount of caffeine has the potential to make informed dietary decisions, the greatest effect on individuals who to induce these symptoms. Extreme it is necessary to examine the benefits originally consume low amounts of caf- side effects in humans can be observed and risks of caffeine intake so that the feine (1). As one of the most-researched at caffeine intakes of 15 mg/kg body positive qualities of caffeine use can weight (10). Individual differences to be profited from without suffering ad- verse affects that accompany addiction. Caffeine Consumption and Health The effects of caffeine have been widely studied with respect to human performance and health. Findings have shown that caffeine has the abil- ity to enhance mood and alertness, to improve exercise performance, to in- crease the speed at which information is processed, awareness, attention, and reaction time (1). Caffeine has been im- plicated in reducing symptoms in Par- kinson’s disease, such as deterioration Image by Andrew Zureick ‘13, DUJS Staff. of motor skills and tremors (2). Addi- Approximate caffeine comparison of popular beverages. FALL 2011 23 take into account include body weight caffeine withdrawal and dependence, and sensitivity to caffeine. For people Consequences of which involves a tapering dose sched- who are highly sensitive to caffeine, it Dependence ule rather than abrupt discontinuation. is recommended to consume no more A combination of self-monitoring one’s than 400 mg/day to avoid adverse ef- Caffeine dependence is associated daily caffeine use and reinforcement for fects, such as headache drowsiness, with unsuccessful, persistent desires decreased use have also been effective. anxiety, and nausea (1). It is also im- to cut down or control substance use. Better education in stress management portant to consider that the amount of For many individuals, substance use is techniques and sleep strategies would caffeine in any given cup of coffee fluc- continued despite knowledge of hav- be an essential step toward decreasing tuates based on the variety of the cof- ing a persistent or recurrent physical the negative impact of caffeine use, so fee and the brewing equipment used. or psychological problem that is likely that individuals resort to healthier ways to have been caused or exacerbated by of conquering fatigue. Taking a quick the substance (9). When asked about 20 to 30-minute nap, for example, has Consequences of caffeine use, 21% of individuals in a been shown to increase afternoon alert- Withdrawal study by Svikis et al. (2005) indicated ness more effectively than coffee (15). that they had previously been told by Coffee consumption has been Caffeine withdrawal causes a health care professional that they demonstrated to have many posi- changes in cerebral blood flow, includ- should cut back or quit caffeine be- tive effects on human health and per- ing vasodilation in high caffeine us- cause of a medical condition including, formance. Though it may be one of ers, is thought to be associated with fibrocystic breast disease, headaches, the most socially acceptable addic- a throbbing, vascular-type headache pregnancy, insomnia, and stomach tions, there remain unfavorable con- (10). Double-blind studies of caffeine problems (13). A number of comorbid sequences of frequent consumption. withdrawal have shown that a head- conditions have been associated with This reflects a need to improve general ache generally occurs 12-24 hours after caffeine dependence, the most com- education regarding the multitude of the last dose of caffeine and usually re- mon being alcohol abuse or depen- effects of caffeine, including the con- solves within 2-4 days, although some dence. In a study by Strain et al., 69% structive outcomes and the risks of ad- subjects continue to report sporadic of subjects had other psychiatric disor- diction, so that individuals can make headaches for as long as 11 days after ders in remission, including substance informed, healthy dietary choices. cessation of caffeine use (11). About use disorders, mood disorders, anxiety 50% of individuals in these studies disorders, and eating disorders (9, 14). References report moderate to severe headaches, which may be worsened with physical 1. M. Heckman, J. Weil et al., J. Food Sci. 75, exercise (9) . There has been some de- Reducing from Heavy to 77-88 (2010). 2. J. Trevitt, K. Kawa, A. Jalali, C. Larsen, bate as to whether caffeine enhances Moderate Consumption Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 94, 24-29 (2009). cognitive performance or simply repre- 3. E. Abel et al., Eur. J. Cancer Prev. 16, sents a reversal of deteriorated perfor- Several studies with heavy caf- 446-452. (2007). mance following caffeine withdrawal feine consumers demonstrated efficacy 4. R. Van Dam, Eur. J. Epidemiol. 18, 1115-1126 (2003). (12). If one builds up tolerance to caf- of a structured caffeine reduction treat- ment program in achieving substantial 5. M. Lucas et al., Arch. Intern. Med. 171, feine from frequent exposure, resulting 1571-1578 (2011). in a decrease in responsiveness, then reductions in caffeine consumption 6. K. Acheson et al., Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 79, 40-46 addiction becomes much more likely. (12). This process of caffeine tapering or (2004). “fading” can be a useful method to treat 7. N. Clark, Physic. Sports Med. 25, 109-110 (1997). 8. American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA, Washington, D.C., ed. 4, 2000) [fourth edition]. 9. R. Griffiths,Substance Abuse: Caffeine Use Disorders (McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division, Chichester, 2008). 10. Institute of Medicine, Caffeine for the sustainment of mental task performance: Formulations for military operations. (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2001). 11. L. Juliano, R. Griffiths,Psychopharmacology 176, 1-29 (2004). 12. J. James, Neuropsychobiology. 38, 32-41. (1998). 13. D. Svikis et al., Am. J. Psychiat. 162, 2344-2351 (2005). 14. E. Strain et al., JAMA- J. Am. Med. Assoc. 272, 1043-1048 (1994). Image courtesy of Jennifer K. Warren. 15. J. Horne, C. Anderson, C. Platten, J. Sleep Many studies have examined the effects of the overconsumption and Res. 17, 432-436 (2008). dependence of caffeine. 24 DARTMOUTH UNDERGRADUATE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE.