Caffeine, the formula of which will be presented to your attention in the article, is a substance that is contained in quite a few food products that we consume almost every day. Green tea, coffee, black tea, Coca-Cola, chocolate, cocoa - all these popular drinks and products contain quite a large amount of it. That is why you should know as much as possible about this substance and its effect on the body.
In this article we will consider what caffeine is, all its properties and features. Therefore, if you have long wanted to learn more about it, then this article can help you.
Caffeine. Caffeine formula
Many of us often consume caffeine (with food, drinks). And what is it really? Speaking in scientific terms, caffeine is a purine alkaloid that is a psychostimulant. In nature, it is most often found in some plants, including guarana, coffee tree, tea, cocoa, cola, mate and some others.
A very interesting fact, caffeine is produced by the above plants in order to protect themselves from pests that eat their leaves and stems. It also serves plants to attract pollinator insects.
The chemical formula of caffeine is as follows: C₈H₁₀N₄O₂.
As for the physical properties of pure caffeine, it is a solid crystalline substance that is colorless and odorless. In some cases, caffeine, the formula of which is presented to your attention in the article, may be white.
How caffeine was discovered
What is caffeine, you already know. And by whom and when was it opened? Caffeine was discovered by a famous chemist named Ferdinand Runge. This event happened in 1819. The name "caffeine" was also coined by Runge.
Despite the fact that caffeine, known to all of us, was discovered back in 1819, its formula and structure were only perfectly studied at the end of the 19th century. This was done by Hermann Fischer, who also carried out the first synthesis of the substance. Largely because of this, in 1902, this German scientist received the most significant award in the scientific world, that is, the Nobel Prize.
The effects of caffeine on the human body
When caffeine enters the body of a person or animal, it begins to stimulate the central nervous system, helps to accelerate the work of the heart and, as a result, the pulse, also dilates blood vessels and has some other effects.
Such a strong effect of this substance on the human body has led to the widespread use of caffeine for medical purposes. It can often be found in many drugs for headaches, and it is also often used as a stimulant of cardiac activity. Caffeine also helps to eliminate drowsiness and increase mental activity, which is probably why the morning of the working day for many people begins with a cup of coffee.
Caffeine use
Caffeine, whose properties have been studied for a long time, has found application in many fields, first of all, it is actively used in the food industry, especially with regard to the production of carbonated and energy drinks. It is also actively used in medicine. As mentioned above, caffeine is part of all kinds of medicines with various effects.
Caffeine is also very successful in sports medicine. Many athletes take both pure caffeine tablets and caffeinated drugs. In this direction, it is valuable, first of all, due to its stimulating effect, which can have a positive effect on sports results. In addition, caffeine helps to burn fat better, which is also used in many sports pharmacology preparations, as well as in many weight loss products.
Also, it should be noted that caffeine can become an excellent painkiller. Studies show that in the treatment of chronic headaches, the use of this substance makes the effectiveness of pain medications 40% higher.
Sometimes caffeine is used for the needs of special units and armies. For example, the US Army’s diet includes special caffeinated chewing gums. It should be noted that they are used not only in the US Army, but also for access and in free sale. It is believed that such chewing gum helps to activate the body, increase cardiac activity, copes with drowsiness and has other effects characteristic of caffeine.
Caffeine Content in Products
Coffee and tea are traditional drinks. Many are interested in the question, where is more caffeine: in tea or coffee? Before answering it, it should be noted that the caffeine content in coffee depends not only on the type of beans, but also on the degree of their roasting. For example, in one cup of custard drink contains about 100 - 200 mg of caffeine, while in one cup of soluble - this figure can be 25 - 170 mg.
So where is the more caffeine in tea or coffee? The answer is obvious. In any case, there is more caffeine in coffee than in tea. So, for example, one cup of black tea contains about 15 - 70 mg of caffeine, green - 25 - 45 mg of caffeine, while in a cup of coffee, as mentioned above, 25-170 mg.
It should be remembered that caffeine is not only found in tea and coffee, it is also enough in many other drinks. The well-known Coca-Cola is especially rich for them all. Caffeine is also found in chocolate and, as a result, in all foods that have chocolate.
Caffeine: Safe Dose
Despite the large number of positive effects that a substance such as caffeine has, it clearly has its own maximum allowable rate. As many medical studies say, a safe daily dose of caffeine is 400 milligrams per day.
Is it a lot or a little? Best shown with concrete examples. 400 milligrams of caffeine is about 3-4 cups of instant coffee with a volume of 0.25 liters, or 12-15 cups of green tea of the same volume. Or about 5 liters of Coca-Cola. Therefore, if you drink more tea, Cola or coffee per day, you should definitely review your diet.
You can even die from caffeine if you take more than 10 grams of this substance per day. To better understand what 10 grams of caffeine is, imagine 120 cans of an ordinary energy drink, such as Red Bull, just as much to drink to get a lethal dose of this substance.
Studies show that excessive consumption of caffeine, that is, more than 400 milligrams per day, can lead to a number of not very pleasant consequences. For example, there may be heart problems, poor mood, and some other effects. A particularly excessive dose of caffeine is dangerous for pregnant and lactating women, for whom the maximum allowable amount of caffeine per day is 200 milligrams.
When is it better not to use caffeine
Since caffeine is a rather powerful psychostimulant and in itself has a large number of different effects, there is a group of people who are better off refraining from consuming this substance and products containing it. Among such people, it is especially worth noting those suffering from insomnia, atherosclerosis, diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, as well as with increased irritability.
"Caffeine-sodium benzoate": instructions for use
As mentioned above, caffeine is actively used in the medical field, as it has many different effects and properties that can cope with many disorders. One of the most popular caffeinated preparations is "Caffeine-Sodium Benzoate", the instructions for the use of which will be discussed below. He is able to help with various problems and diseases.
Pharmacological actions. According to its pharmacological effect, the drug "Kofeni-sodium benzoate" is completely similar to caffeine.
Application. This drug is used for such disorders as insufficiency of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system depression, as well as poisoning with all kinds of narcotic substances. In addition, this drug can be used for problems with drowsiness, for children with enuresis, and also if necessary, increase the level of mental and physical performance.
Side effects of caffeine. Like many other medicines, Caffeine Sodium Benzoate has a number of side effects. Among them, it is especially worth noting excessive anxiety, possible sleep disturbance, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting can also occur.
In the case of prolonged use of this drug, addiction to it and, in general, to caffeinated preparations and products may occur.
Features It is important to consider that when taking "Caffeine-Sodium Benzoate" the effect depends on the type of human nervous system, and can manifest itself both in the form of excitement and in the inhibition of its work.
Excessive use of this drug during pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion, as well as to a slowdown in fetal growth, and a number of disorders associated with his body. That is why, "Caffeine-Sodium Benzoate" is not recommended for pregnant women.
Also, the drug is recommended not to be taken before bedtime, and in no case to violate the prescription.
Interaction with other drugs
When using "Caffeine-Sodium Benzoate" in conjunction with other sleeping pills or drugs, it can reduce their effect.
In the case of joint use with estrogens, it is possible to increase the efficiency and lengthen the term of exposure to caffeine on the human body.
Also, caffeine when combined with ergotamine increases its absorption rate.
Overdose
An overdose of caffeine is usually accompanied by a number of effects, among which are the most common: increased anxiety, the occurrence of headache, anxiety, possible problems with consciousness, the occurrence of confusion and some other problems.
If in newborns the concentration of caffeine in the blood exceeds 50 mg / ml, then this can lead to a number of toxic effects, among which there may be tachypnea, tremor, tachycardia. In case of even greater concentration, convulsions may begin to occur.
Total
Caffeine is a substance with a very large number of various properties and effects, which makes it extremely popular in pharmacology, as well as in the food industry. Most people consume a certain amount of caffeine almost every day through tea, coffee, chocolate or some carbonated drinks. Caffeine itself has a large number of positive effects on the body, including stimulation of the central nervous system, increased cardiac activity, the fight against drowsiness and a number of other effects. However, with an increase in the safe daily dose of 400 mg of caffeine per day, it can cause a wide variety of health problems and even cause death if 10 grams of the substance is consumed per day.