Can coffee and other caffeinated drinks be drunk by hypertensive, heart-shaped and pregnant women? Is the caffeine in tea weaker than the caffeine in coffee? Does caffeine cause nutrient deficiencies? Is coffee with milk he althier than black coffee? Check out the facts and myths about caffeine!

Caffeine stimulates the body

TRUE. Caffeine has stimulating properties by acting on the cerebral cortex. It causes better concentration of attention, extends the time of concentration, reduces fatigue and drowsiness. Some studies show that it improves logical thinking and memory. However, this is a short-term effect and it dies along with the excretion of caffeine from the body. The average half-life of this compound in the body is 4 hours (each has a different sensitivity to caffeine - it metabolizes faster, e.g. in smokers).

Caffeine is found not only in coffee

Caffeine is a common alkaloid found in about 65 species of various plants. In addition to coffee beans, it contains, among others, tea leaves, kola nuts, cocoa beans,guarana . The caffeine extract obtained from these plants is added, for example, to beverages and sweets.

It's easy to overdose on caffeine

We drink it in various beverages, eat it in chocolate, take it in medications. The results of research conducted among middle school students in Warsaw are worrying - they drink up to 6 cans of energy drinks a day. A safe dose for children is about 5.3 mg / kg body weight, i.e. 140-160 mg of caffeine per day for a ten-year-old child - slightly more than 1.5 cans of these drinks. For an adult, the safe dose of caffeine is less than 300 mg per day. Above 500 mg is already considered an overdose. And over 2000 mg - for caffeine poisoning: causes, among others, severe agitation, distraction, hot flush, dizziness, convulsions, insomnia. Excess caffeine in adolescents may cause problems with sleep, concentration and nervousness.

Caffeine is not harmful to he alth

Caffeine is a compound used in painkillers because it relieves pain and tension, and also affects the release of dopamine - a hormone responsible for the feeling of satisfaction. In addition, caffeine can lowerhistaminein the body (the compound responsible for allergic reactions). It is also used in the treatment of bronchial asthma because it dilates the bronchial tubes. There are more and more scientific reports that coffee consumption may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, but this has not yet been done.proven.

Caffeine contained in tea is not weaker than that in coffee

There is simply less caffeine in tea than in coffee and therefore less effective. Therefore, we need to drink a lot more tea to achieve a stimulating effect similar to coffee.

Worth knowing

Average caffeine content

  • A cup of coffee (200 ml) - 80-140 mg (depending on the amount of coffee)
  • A cup of cappuccino - approx. 40 mg
  • A cup of black tea - approx. 50 mg
  • A cup of green tea - approx. 30 mg
  • Energy drink (250 ml) - approx. 90 mg
  • Cola drink (250 ml) - 30-50 mg
  • Chocolate (100 g) - 10-70 mg

Caffeine may cause some nutrient deficiencies

It all depends on your diet and the amount of these drinks. Since they are diuretic, some minerals, especially calcium, are slightly lost in the urine. But the assumption that excessive or even moderate coffee drinking is responsible for this disease in people with osteoporosis has not been confirmed. However, if someone takes a low amount of calcium in the diet (the norm is about 1000 mg a day) and drinks a lot of coffee at the same time, this may affect the development of the disease. In addition, coffee, like tea, reduces the absorption of iron, because it contains tannins that reduce the absorption of this element. Therefore, you should not drink these drinks until half an hour after an iron-rich meal. It is also known that caffeinated drinks can weaken the body's use of magnesium, zinc and B vitamins. If we eat properly and provide the right amount of these ingredients, drinking coffee in moderate amounts (2-3 cups a day) does not affect the deficiency these relationships.

Caffeinated beverages can be drunk by people with hypertension

Although caffeine is known to raise blood pressure, after long studies of the relationship between moderate coffee drinking and the development of hypertension, no relationship has been found. In most patients with hypertension, drinking 1-2 cups of not very strong coffee does not have any negative effects. However, they should keep a diary and measure their blood pressure after drinking caffeinated drinks. If they observe a significant increase in pressure, they have to give up. It is also worth consulting with your doctor in what amounts you can drink coffee.

Moderate drinking of caffeinated beverages does not affect heart disease

Caffeinated drinks have no effect on the occurrence of heart and circulatory system diseases. It is different when they are drunk in large amounts. People who drink a lot of coffee often smoke cigarettes, lead a sedentary lifestyle,eat unhe althy. In them, the adverse effects of coffee, combined with risk factors for coronary heart disease, do contribute to heart disease. People with slow caffeine metabolism are also at risk.

We recommend

Author: Time S.A

Remember that a properly selected diet will help lower blood pressure. Take advantage of JeszCoLubisz - the innovative dietary system of the He alth Guide and enjoy an individually selected plan and constant care of a dietitian. Take care of your he alth and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Find out more

Caffeine - a compendium of knowledge

How does caffeine affect the human body? Is consuming it in excessive amounts harmful to your he alth? Listen to our expert, nutritionist Jacek Bilczyński.

Pregnant women should limit drinking caffeinated beverages

There is no clear confirmation that caffeine is harmful to pregnant women. Although, according to studies comparing the relationship between the amount of caffeine in the diet and miscarriage, the occurrence of birth defects and problems with getting pregnant, no such relationship was found, caution is advised. The duration of action of caffeine in the body of pregnant women (as in women using contraceptive pills) is much longer than in non-pregnant women. In addition, coffee somewhat limits the absorption of nutrients from the diet, which may make it difficult to meet the requirements during pregnancy. Therefore, during this period, it is better to limit coffee to 1-2 cups of weak infusion.

Coffee brewed in a glass is more harmful than instant coffee and from the machine

It doesn't depend on the caffeine content, but on the presence of diterpenes in coffee - compounds that can raise blood cholesterol levels. These substances are removed in the coffee filtering process, and they are not present in instant coffee, but they are present in large amounts in glass or boiled coffee. Therefore, people who have atherosclerosis or hyperlipidemia should not drink such coffee.

Coffee with milk is he althier than black coffee, but it is better to drink tea without milk

The addition of milk to coffee to some extent replenishes calcium losses. In addition, milk alkalizes coffee, which has a beneficial effect because we eat too much acidic products (e.g. meat). There are polyphenols in coffee and tea with an antioxidant effect. The strong antioxidant properties of tea have been proven in many studies. However, when we pour milk into tea, we will cause these compounds to precipitate, which will inhibit their action. That is why it is better to drink tea without milk.

Caffeine contained in cosmetics fights cellulite

Cosmetics manufacturers use the uniqueproperties of caffeine in removing cellulite and sagging skin. This compound improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helps to get rid of residual toxins. In addition, it gives the skin energy and helps to keep it firm.

Do you feel bad after drinking coffee? You may be caffeine intolerant

Almost 60 percent of Poles have a hereditary intolerance to caffeine. How is caffeine intolerance manifested? If you have an intolerance to caffeine, do you have to completely give up products containing it? Listen to our expert - dietitian Agnieszka Piskała.

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