What Are the Effects of Caffeine on Your Energy Levels? Everything to Know About Its Impact

MSN: Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

Yahoo: Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

The most common sources of caffeine for human consumption are the tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and the coffee bean, the seed of the Coffea plant. Some people drink beverages containing caffeine to relieve or prevent drowsiness and to improve cognitive performance.

What is caffeine? Caffeine is a type of drug called a stimulant, meaning it increases chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters.

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day seems safe for most adults. That's about the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks. Keep in mind that the caffeine content in drinks varies widely.

Learn about caffeine's effects on the human body. Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. It also acts as a mild diuretic. Caffeine’s potent stimulatory action makes it a valuable antidote to respiratory depression induced by drug overdose (e.g., from morphine or barbiturates).

Caffeine is a natural stimulant consumed throughout the world. This article reviews caffeine and its health effects, both good and bad.

Although we tend to associate caffeine most often with coffee or tea, the research below focuses mainly on the health effects of caffeine itself. Visit our features on coffee, tea, and energy drinks for more health information related to those beverages.