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Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound and a central nervous system stimulant that can temporarily drive away sleepiness and restore energy. It is clinically used to treat neurasthenia and coma resuscitation. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks containing caffeine are very popular. Therefore, caffeine is also the most commonly used psychotropic drug in the world.

In North America, 90% of adults consume caffeine daily. Many natural sources of caffeine also contain a variety of other xanthine alkaloids, including the cardiotonic agents theophylline and theobromine, as well as other substances such as tannic acid.

Caffeine is also a common ingredient in soft drinks, such as cola, which was originally made from the kola nut. A bottle of soft drink generally contains 10 mg to 50 mg of caffeine. Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, contain 80 mg of caffeine per bottle. The caffeine in these drinks comes from the original ingredients used in them or additives obtained from decaffeinated coffee, or it can be synthesized chemically. Guarana, the basic ingredient in many energy drinks, contains a large amount of caffeine and a small amount of theobromine. Small amounts of theophylline are found in naturally occurring sustained-release excipients.

Over the years, scientists have conducted a lot of research on the functions of caffeine, and they have also found that there may be a certain connection between caffeine and human health. For example, some researchers have found that caffeine and its analogs may reverse memory loss, and caffeine can also reduce the body's oxidative stress response and improve oxygen-induced lung damage; but some researchers have found that caffeine may not be a good thing. It cannot resist Alzheimer's disease, but will accelerate the progression of the patient's disease. So is caffeine good or bad?

The benefits of caffeine on the human body

1. Caffeine can stimulate the central nervous system and muscles, so it can boost spirits, improve thinking and memory, and restore muscle fatigue.

2. It acts on the cardiovascular system to improve heart function, dilate blood vessels and promote blood circulation.

3. For the gastrointestinal system, it can help digestion and help break down fat.

4. Recently, a new study in the United States showed that drinking coffee can enhance sexual desire because coffee can improve blood circulation, speed up heart rate, and stimulate the activity of the nervous system. Therefore, people who drink coffee regularly have more active sex lives than those who do not drink coffee regularly. Not only that, it can also reduce the risk of impotence.

Harmful effects of caffeine

1. Aggravates high blood pressure: Caffeine is often combined with other simple analgesics because of its analgesic effect. However, long-term and large-scale use of caffeine will only make your condition worse if you already have high blood pressure. Caffeine alone can raise blood pressure, and if you add emotional tension, it will have a dangerous multiplication effect. Therefore, people at risk of high blood pressure should especially avoid drinking caffeinated beverages when they are under great work pressure. Some people who have the habit of drinking coffee all year round think that they are immune to the effects of caffeine, but this is not the case. A study shows that after drinking a cup of coffee, blood pressure can rise for up to 12 hours.

2. Inducing osteoporosis: Caffeine itself has a good diuretic effect. If you drink coffee for a long time and in large quantities, it is easy to cause bone loss, which will have an adverse effect on the preservation of bone mass. For women, it may increase the threat of osteoporosis. But the premise is that you don’t have enough calcium in your daily food, or you don’t exercise often, and women after menopause lose calcium due to lack of estrogen. These conditions plus a large amount of caffeine may pose a threat to bones. If you can enjoy it in a reasonable amount, you can still avoid giving up because of fear.

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