Caffeine Awareness Month: 5 fun facts

Most of us consume caffeine on a daily basis, but how much do we really know about it?

People may not realise how much caffeine they consume; even though they may not drink a lot of coffee, caffeine is present in tea, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and chocolate.

In small doses, caffeine can have some positive side effects on the mind and body. Studies have shown that it can improve memory, enhance energy for workouts and boost concentration. In large amounts, it can trigger a fast heart rate, insomnia and restlessness.

Here are five interesting facts that you may not have known about caffeine.

1. Caffeine free and decaffeinated coffee are not the same

Decaf caffeine is not 100% free of caffeine. It is a smart way of decreasing and controlling your caffeine intake, but there is still a small amount of caffeine in a cup of decaf.

2. You can find caffeine in surprising food products

According to a medical report from the FDA, up to 90% of our intake comes from beverages other than a cup of coffee.

It can be found in fizzy drinks as well as energy drinks. It can also be found in chocolate, jelly beans, breath mints, peanut butter and even chewing gum!

3. Caffeine resembles a brain chemical

Our bodies produce a chemical, adenosine. Caffeine binds to that chemical in our brain cells, which then stimulates the receptors in the brain to produce drowsiness and suppress the nervous system that leads to relaxation.

The negative effect of this process blocks the sleep-inducing actions of adenosine. This causes a person to be more awake and active, leading to sleeplessness.

4. Coffee beans come from a bright red fruit

The small red fruit grows on a shrub known as coffee cherries. Coffee beans are found inside these red cherries, which are picked by hand when they are bright red and ripe.

A coffee bean is actually green when the red fruit is peeled away from the beans.

5. Caffeine affects the body within minutes

Once someone has consumed caffeine, they will feel more alert within 45 minutes. When it is absorbed into the blood and tissues, it takes the body a long time to break it down and clear it from the system. So not only is caffeine absorbed quickly, but it also stays in the body for 4-8 hours.

Depending on the amount and strength that is consumed, the body may need up to 12 hours to completely eliminate caffeine.

While caffeine can be good for you in small doses, know your sources and amounts to make sure you don’t overdo it – you will be surprised at how quickly the healthy limit of caffeine adds up.

Brought to you by People Magazine

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