Coffee varies from 60 to 180 milligrams per 8-ounce cup
Caffeine is a drug that is acceptable to use in moderate amounts, but it is so easy to over do it without realizing it. At UMass (and at many other colleges I’m sure) people down coffee at all hours of the day (and night) in order to finish homework. I am not a coffee drinker, but I have a liking towards coffee’s evil cousin, soda. Coca Cola to be exact. I decided to research caffeine for this blog entry.
On About.com’s Stress Management pages, the effect of caffeine on the human body is broken down into categories and explains the connection between stress and caffeine.
Some basic facts on caffeine:
- Do not drink caffeine-laden drinks after 2pm.
- Drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day can cause a dependence on the drug.
- Withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches, muscle pains, and fatigue.
- It is recommended to drink caffeine before exercising. The article states “It can help the body break down fat about 30% more efficiently if consumed prior to exercise.”
- Moderate amounts of caffeine can boost your mood. However, if you have too much caffeine, your mood will “soar and plummet” leading to stress and the desire to drink more caffeine.
This article from the Honolulu Star Bulletin has a great Q&A about the right way to consume caffeine.
One of the worst symptoms of caffeine is trouble sleeping. People often complain of feeling restless and “wired” if they drink too soon before attempting to go to sleep.
