Whether we know it or not, many of us hold onto a vice that isn’t always the best for our health, including your team at Integrity Urgent Care. Individuals may choose to consume moderate amounts of alcohol and recognize the effects on their health, the same with larger portions or junk food. However, caffeine can be another part of your diet that needs to be regulated and monitored as you consume each day. Is monitoring your intake a sign that it is bad for your health though?
Caffeine Facts
According to healthline.com “this natural stimulant is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the world.” It is found in a number of different products, including tea, coffee, and chocolate as well plenty of more manufactured food and drink products. Upwards of 80% of the world has at least one product with caffeine every day, but an even larger percentage of Americans consume caffeine each day. Caffeine is a stimulant and impacts multiple parts of the body, including the brain and central nervous system, which many know as they guzzle coffee, soda, or other caffeinated products to get a jump start on their day.
Caffeine Concerns
There are a number of factors linked to caffeine intake that you should be aware of. For starters, your innocent stop for your favorite latte or large soda can quickly turn into a habit that triggers more and more need for the chemical. Additionally, there are many negative side effects linked to caffeine consumption, including trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeat, headaches, anxiety, and other concerns. There are also a number of studies which show a negative impact on pregnancy and babies in the womb. Like with any medication, you should ask your physician, medical practitioner, or pharmacist if there are any effects of caffeine on what you are taking.
Benefits of Caffeine
As many have noticed, there is a benefit to ingesting caffeine, as it can show positive impact on recall, reaction time, and alertness. This is due to “a relative increase in other signaling molecules, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.” Caffeine may also have positive gains on those trying to lose weight, as there may be a boost in metabolism and fat burning. This could be counteracted by soda and creamer/caloric intake of some caffeinated beverages, however. Some athletes see a benefit with doses of caffeine when completing their workouts because “it can help the glucose stored in muscles last longer” which means your muscles won’t fatigue as easily. Each athlete and workout are different, and you should test your intake of caffeine slowly.
Further Benefits for Health Issues
Some patients with ongoing health concerns, may see an improvement with regular caffeine, such as those with diabetes, heart disease, and risk of liver issues, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. The benefits range depending on the amount consumed and the condition. It is common to hear that caffeine can cause worsening of some of these issues, like heart disease or diabetes, but that could also be to the increased caloric intake of the sodas and beverages that are commonly associated with caffeine and easy purchase of caffeinated beverages. More research needs to be done to see if caffeine will have a long term effect on more conditions, but in the meantime, a simple cup of tea or coffee, could improve your health and overall function each day.
To learn more about what you are taking into your body and the impact it has on your life and overall health, come see us at one of our several locations today. Our medical team is equipped to help you feel better when sick or injured and to help you understand the needs you have for your overall physical health and wellbeing. Come see us, today.
