It can be found naturally in your morning tea and coffee, or it can be added to many well-known soft drinks and energy beverages. For many of us who are experiencing some sluggishness, a shot of coffee can provide our bodies and minds with a much-needed lift.
However, a particular type of lemonade that was being sold in the US was recently pulled off the market due to claims that its caffeine concentration was dangerously high, even though it was supposedly below the approved daily allowance for adults in the nation. It has sparked debate over the exact amount of caffeine that is too much and if it really matters.
There is still some debate over the optimal way for us to consume caffeinated beverages, despite the fact that numerous studies have demonstrated their positive health effects.
The effects of caffeine on the body
Our bodies are constantly performing a number of vital processes, such as blood flow, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles. Adenosine, a substance that naturally exists in the body and is responsible for leaving us exhausted at the end of the day, has an impact on several of these.
“One of the naturally occurring compounds in the body to quiet down activity in different organs that are stressed or need to reduce energy demand is adenosine,” explains Kenneth Jacobson, head of the National Institute of Diabetes.
