THE SCIENCE OF CAFFEINE

'A nice breakfast is a good start for the day'. Everyday there were a millions of people start their day with a morning cup of coffee. So do I as I have a quote that ' the fragrance of coffee in the early morning can brighten up my day =)'. In a cup of coffee, caffeine plays a vital role. Caffeine is the most important chemical in the coffee. People do enjoy coffee but did they know about the caffeine? I am not so clear about it until today I discovered it. Whoa I am so surprised because caffeine is in everywhere - IT'S EVERYWHERE !!!!


Here come I explain it briefly about the caffeine that we might taken it everyday.

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a white crystalline substance that in the alkaloid family and has a bitter taste when you taste it. Caffeine can be easily found in the leaves and seeds from certain plants. Other than coffee, caffeine also can be found in tea, carbonated drinks (coca-cola) and etc. Caffeine can be defined as a drug because it can function to stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), heart and muscles.Caffeine can block the adenosine and hence increase alertness. Adenosine is a kind of chemical that give signal to the body for rest when tired. So, for a student like me, especially during the exam period, I will have some coffee in order to release fatigue and let me to stay awake at the later night away from sleepiness.


How does Caffeine Works to Brain?

Caffeine inhibits the adenosine receptor in the body by binding to the adenosine receptor as caffeine very look alike to adenosine. Adenosine is a kind of chemical secreted in brain when it is active. The cell in the basal forebrain are function to make a person to stay awake. If the cells function too fast, the adenosine binds to the receptor to slow it down. Thus, a person will start to feel sleepy and need to rest. But since the caffeine is replaced the adenosine to the receptor, the cells no longer detect the adenosine and start to speed up again hence can stay away from sleepiness. This is how caffeine makes a person to stay awake for long hours although body is exhausted. By this combination of the receptor with the caffeine, the liver will release more sugar to provide energy, heart increases and etc.

Some possible hazards linked to coffee due to caffeine:

1. Caffeine is a diuretic, it can increase the production of urine. This can create prostate problems to men.
2. Panic attack. The caffeine makes the panic getting worst as it triggers the fight and flight mechanism in the body.
3. Bone loss. A caffeinated coffee can increase calcium excretion in the urine.

Although there are hazards occurred due to caffeine, it does not mean that caffeine is totally bad. In fact, caffeine also has its contribution towards good.

Some benefits linked to coffee due to caffeine:

1. Caffeine can help a person to stay awake and alert. Regular consumption can even increase the brain power.
2. Caffeine can help in prevent heart disease because it is an antioxidant which can prevent the heart disease and some cancers.
3. Caffeine can help improves memory and mental function. It can help older person to think faster. A lifetime coffee consumption can even brings to lower risk of Alzheimer's diseases.

Caffeine brings us benefits but it also brings us hazards. Too much intake or overdose intake of caffeine would  brings harms to our body. Be consideration to the intake of caffeine. I think i need start to behave in the consumption of the caffeine. I would advice all the person beside me about this too. Good food and appropriate portion brings us to the way of long life and stay healthy. 


You can do caffeine testing on the food that you taken. As for this caffeine testing, you may google it yourself. =D