Summary: The caffeinated beverage industry continues to grow, and the coffee sector itself generates significant economic activity. However, despite its popularity in increasing alertness and physical performance, caffeine, a powerful stimulant, can lead to addiction and exacerbate health problems.
The up-to-date study emphasizes the importance of moderation, noting caffeine’s similarities to stronger stimulants and its effects on the central nervous system. With the FDA recommending a limit of 400 milligrams per day, understanding the effects of caffeine is crucial for both consumers and providers of caffeine-containing products.
Key facts:
- Economic impact: In 2022, the coffee industry employed 2.2 million people and generated over $100 billion in revenue.
- Health consequences: Caffeine may improve concentration and physical performance, but excessive consumption can cause anxiety, insomnia and worsen existing health problems.
- Legal issues: The risks associated with high caffeine consumption have led to solemn health concerns and legal actions, such as lawsuits brought against Panera Bread over their highly caffeinated drinks.
Source: Texas A&M
Whether we’re brewing a cup of coffee at home, ordering a $6 specialty latte at the local coffee shop or cracking open a Red Bull on the way to the gym, the consensus is clear: the popularity of caffeinated beverages is on the rise.
According to the National Coffee Association’s report on the impact of the coffee industry, in 2022 the coffee industry employed 2.2 million people, with total wages worth over $100 billion.
Caffeine — most commonly found in coffee, black and green tea, energy drinks, and some dietary supplements — is taken to boost energy levels, boost alertness, and boost motivation.
However, regularly consuming gigantic amounts of caffeine can lead to addiction and cause anxiety and insomnia, as well as exacerbate the symptoms of some mental illnesses.
Dr. Sherecce Fields, a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University, says it’s essential to remember that caffeine is classified as a stimulant and should be taken in moderation and with caution.
“Caffeine is in a similar class of drugs to cocaine and methamphetamine and behaves in a way that increases the activity of dopamine neurons,” Fields said. “All of the things that are related to how it improves things like cognition and memory are related to its stimulant effects.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, stimulant drugs work by increasing activity in the central nervous system. Specifically, they activate neural pathways connecting the brain to the body, contributing to feelings of euphoria and focus and creating a cognitive advantage.
In appropriate doses, caffeine can benefit athletes and students by increasing muscle speed and improving concentration levels.
“Caffeine is very popular with athletes because it can boost things like muscle speed and performance, and it can also reduce fatigue because it stimulates the peripheral nervous system to get up and go,” Fields said.
“Many people with undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also turn to caffeine to facilitate them concentrate because it works in a similar way to some ADHD medications.”
Despite these benefits, caffeine is a substance that should be taken and its consumption monitored carefully. You should never exceed a daily dose of 400 milligrams, as recommended by the Food and Drug Administration.
“People who consume gigantic amounts of caffeine tend to experience more anxiety or low mood when they stop drinking,” Fields said.
“For someone who has a mood disorder like major depression or generalized anxiety disorder, this can certainly intensify those feelings.”
Fields notes that this becomes especially perilous for people with health problems like high blood pressure and heart failure, as highly caffeinated drinks consumed without caution can cause health complications.
These types of cases can even end up in court, as in the case of Panera Bread’s three lawsuits over its high-caffeine “Loaded Lemonades.” The drinks contain more caffeine than a 12-ounce Red Bull and a 16-ounce Monster energy drink combined.
Two people died after drinking the drinks multiple times, and a third had lasting health complications. Each had underlying health issues that made them sensitive to caffeine.
The multifaceted question of whether Panera Bread should be held liable for the deaths of these individuals is not uncomplicated to answer. Fields emphasizes the importance of being a good consumer of information and the ethics of correct advertising.
“As a consumer, I try to encourage my students and my son to be good consumers of information,” Fields said.
“With Panera, it’s essential to understand that 390 milligrams of caffeine is an excess and if you consume more than that, it can be very perilous, especially if you have high blood pressure or another cardiovascular disease.”
Knowing your personal limits and the caffeine content of a drink are two elementary but effective ways to enjoy the benefits of caffeinated beverages while avoiding the feelings of jitters and anxiety that often accompany them.
“A person drinking two to three cups of coffee a day is exceeding the recommended maximum amount, which can have harmful effects on the fight-or-flight immune system, the heart and the digestive system,” Fields said.
“In petite doses, caffeine can improve behavior and focus, so the most essential thing to consider is finding the balance and determining the right dose for your specific needs.”
In tiny, reactions to caffeine vary greatly from person to person and can have both health benefits and harms, depending on the amount. So before you order that third cup of coffee, remember that more isn’t always better.
About this news on caffeine and neuroscience research
Author: Emily Chan
Source: Texas A&M
Contact: Emily Chan – Texas A&M
Picture: Photo by Neuroscience News
