It’s found in varying quantities within the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants. It is most commonly consumed by humans by way of the bean of the coffee plant or the leaves of the tea bush, or from various foods or drinks containing products derived from the kola nut. Additionally, a small quantity is found in Cocoa beans, which is the base ingredient for all things chocolate
As for humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, which can temporarily ward off drowsiness and restore alertness. It is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive (a substance that brings about subjective changes in consciousness and mood) drug, but, unlike many other psychoactive substances, it is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world.
Caffeine can be toxic to humans only at high doses, but ordinary consumption poses few known risks to health, even if intake is carried on for years; in fact caffeine may actually provide a modest protective effect against some diseases, including certain types of cancer.
Its effects on sleep do not affect all people in the same way. Caffeine improves overall performance during sleep deprivation but may lead to subsequent insomnia. In regard to shift workers for example, it leads to fewer mistakes resulting from tiredness. In athletics, moderate doses of caffeine can improve sprint, performance, and endurance. Evidence also shows that caffeine may be helpful at high altitudes.
There is a rather common misconception that coffee or caffeine will “stunt” a child’s growth but there is no evidence which supports that old “wives tale”. Caffeine may increase the effectiveness of some medications including ones used to treat headaches; in fact some modern pain medications include caffeine in their chemical makeup to improve the desired effect.
Although safe in humans, caffeine is considerably toxic to some animals, such as dogs and birds. Caffeine also has an “intoxicating” like effect on various insects; especially spiders.
As a rule most of us get an acceptable amount (250 mg per day) of caffeine from tea, coffee, or cola drinks each day, but the chart displayed below will help insure that you never end up with a major over-dose (O-D).
Product ... Caffeine (in milligrams): | |
Coffee (6 oz cup) | |
Drip | 175 |
Percolated | 132 |
Instant regular | 64 |
Decaffeinated | 3 |
Carbonated Drinks (12 oz) | |
Coca-Cola Classic | 46 |
Coca-Cola, new | 46 |
Coke Free | 0 |
Pepsi | 43 |
Pepsi Free | 0-2 |
Dr. Pepper | 38 |
Mountain Dew | 52 |
Tab | 50 |
Jolt | 71 |
Tea (avg. brew, 6 oz) | 50 |
Cocoa beverage (water mix, 6 oz) | 18 |
Milk chocolate candy bar (8 oz) | 48 |
Yes, a caffeine O-D is considered detrimental to humans. It’s called “caffeine intoxication” and may include among other things: Restlessness, fidgeting, anxiety, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, muscle twitching, a rambling flow of speech, irritability, and irregular or rapid heart beat.
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Post Script: By the way, I call this Critique “the Other Wonder Drug” as opposed to “the Wonder Drug” which everyone knows is Aspirin!
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