Caffeine: The Pros and Cons By DANIELLA FORMAN • Published: APRIL 29, 2013
Can’t get by without that cup of coffee every morning before running to class? Always think you need that extra caffeine boost to keep yourself awake all day? A number of beverages enjoyed around the world contain caffeine. Whether it is in their morning cup of coffee or in their late afternoon iced tea, many people rely on this chemical in their drinks to provide them with the energy needed to function daily. Although these caffeinated beverages are becoming increasingly more popular amongst all age groups, a common problem that arises with caffeine is that people tend to rely on caffeine for its positive effects, while there are also negative effects that caffeine may have on the body that are often overlooked.
One of the biggest reasons that students turn to caffeine daily is because it promotes wakefulness. The idea that coffee stimulates the mind and promotes wakefulness stems from Muslim mystics of Yemen, known as the Sufis, who relied on coffee to keep them up late at night for their religious rituals. According to Soklow, by the mid-16th century coffee became a widely spread phenomenon in the Middle East. In the 18th century, it rapidly spread to the upper and middle classes of Central Europe.
Aside from coffee’s stimulating effects, such as the rush of adrenaline we get before taking an exam as well as its contribution to one’s concentration, coffee can have many harmful effects on the body. Studies have found that caffeine can lead to an increase of anxiety in an individual. In 2002, the results of a study conducted by Smith indicate that caffeine makes people anxious, and for those who already suffer from mental or behavioral disorders, caffeine may aggravate their personal issues. Caffeine increases restlessness and jitteriness. Upon caffeine withdrawal, the level of stress can increase drastically due to lack of its consumption. Withdrawal can also lead to an increase of anxiety and depression, as well as hindering normal sleep patterns and interfering with the duration of sleep.
Anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, and restlessness are only few of the many adverse physiological effects of caffeine. Bolton and Null had found not only does caffeine have an effect on the central nervous system, but it also affects the cardiovascular and gastric systems. Regarding the cardiovascular system, caffeine can induce tachycardia, also known as an extremely fast heart rhythm, and can eventually lead to an arrhythmia, otherwise known as an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, thereby causing insomnia by disturbing of the deep stages of sleep.