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t_Articles
Whether it's green, black or oolong, tea has been
savoured in Asia for almost 5,000 years. Coffee, a relative newcomer
discovered some 1,000 years ago, continues to bring people together in
the coffee houses and cybercafes springing up across the region. Over
the last hundred years, cola drinks, ready-to-drink tea and coffee
beverages have steadily gained in popularity.
All of these beverages have a common ingredient -
caffeine. Although products containing caffeine have been enjoyed all
over the world for centuries, there are many misperceptions about this
common food component.
SOURCES OF CAFFEINE
Caffeine occurs naturally in over 60 plant species.
Tea leaves, coffee beans, cocoa beans (for chocolate) and kola nuts
(added to cola drinks) are the most common sources. Other
caffeine-containing plants include ilex, which is used to make a South
American drink called yerba mata, and guarana, found in some energy
drinks.
The caffeine content of coffee varies depending on
the type of beans, where they are grown and the way they are processed,
ground and brewed. Similarly for tea, the caffeine content is determined
by the duration of fermentation, size of the leaves and brewing time.
Tea leaves actually contain more caffeine than coffee beans but, since a
relatively small amount of leaves is needed to brew tea, the caffeine
content of a cup of tea is generally less than a cup of coffee.
THE BODY'S RESPONSE TO CAFFEINE
Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant. Research findings
show that moderate amounts of caffeine can help improve alertness and
concentration. Studies have also shown that caffeine may improve memory
and logical reasoning. However, contrary to popular belief, caffeine
will not "sober up" someone who has consumed too much alcohol.
Though the body's response to caffeine varies between
individuals, caffeine generally reaches its peak concentration in the
blood within 30 to 60 minutes after consumption. Caffeine does not
accumulate in the body and is usually eliminated within several hours.
Individuals vary in their sensitivity to caffeine.
Some individuals can drink several cups of coffee, tea or soft drinks
within an hour and notice no effects whereas others may experience
effects after just one serving. Individual sensitivity and frequency of
consumption determine the effect of caffeine on sleep and level of
alertness. As with everything we eat or drink, it is important to do so
in moderation.
CAFFEINE AND HEALTH
Caffeine has been approved for use by health
authorities in more than 190 countries. Given its widespread
consumption, extensive research has been conducted into the health
aspects of caffeine making it one of the most comprehensively studied
ingredients in our food supply.
In 1985, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
placed caffeine on its Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) list.
Most experts agree that moderation and common sense
are the keys to consuming foods and beverages containing caffeine.
Moderate caffeine consumption is considered to be about 300 mg, which is
equal to approximately two to three cups of coffee.
Antioxidant activity
Caffeine has been demonstrated to have antioxidant
activity although the significance of this effect has not yet been
investigated. Antioxidants in food are generally considered to help
protect against a range of diseases including cardiovascular diseases
and cancer.
Addiction
People often say that they are "addicted" to caffeine
in much the same way they are "addicted" to shopping, working or
television. When regular caffeine intake is stopped abruptly, some
individuals may experience mild temporary symptoms such as headache,
irritability or fatigue. These symptoms can be minimised or prevented if
caffeine intake is decreased gradually. This is very different from drug
dependency or a true addiction, where the user feels a compulsive need
to use a substance in ever-increasing doses.
Cardiovascular Disease
Large-scale studies have shown that moderate caffeine
consumption does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and
does not raise cholesterol or cause irregular heart beat. A slight,
temporary rise in blood pressure has been observed with caffeine
consumption; however, this rise is similar to that resulting from normal
activity, such as climbing the stairs. Still, people with high blood
pressure should consult with their physicians about caffeine use.
Cancer
Numerous studies have demonstrated that caffeine does
not increase the risk of cancer. The American Institute for Cancer
Research stated in their 1997 review on diet and cancer that, "Most
evidence suggests that regular consumption of coffee and/or tea has no
significant relationship with the risk of cancer of any site." The
American Cancer Society has stated that, "There is no indication that
caffeine, a natural component of both coffee and tea, is a risk factor
in human cancer."
Bone Health
Research has shown that moderate caffeine intake is
not a risk factor for osteoporosis, particularly in women who consume
adequate calcium. Although caffeine slightly increases calcium loss in
the urine, the amount lost can be replaced by the equivalent of two
tablespoons of milk added to a cup of coffee.
Women's Health
Most experts agree that there is no reliable evidence
that moderate caffeine consumption is harmful to a pregnant woman or her
unborn child. Two major studies in the US have found that there is no
correlation between moderate caffeine intake and pregnancy outcome or
birth defects. Studies from the US Centers for Disease Control, Harvard
Medical School and the University of California have reported that
moderate caffeine consumption does not reduce a woman's chances of
becoming pregnant.
Child Health
Children generally consume much less caffeine than
adults since soft drinks and tea are their primary sources of caffeine.
Research from the National Institute of Health, USA, has reported that
there is no difference in the way that children and adults handle
caffeine. Studies have shown that foods and drinks containing caffeine,
when consumed in normal quantities, have no effects on hyperactivity or
attention span in children.
CAFFEINE FOLKLORE....
- Tea was reportedly discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2737
B.C. when dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into his pot of boiling
water.
- The famous Japanese tea ceremony dates back to the fourteenth
century, when tea gatherings were commonly held by the Japanese
nobility.
- Legend has it that coffee was discovered by an Arabian goatherd
who noticed that his goats were more energetic after eating some red,
cherry-like fruits.
- Coffee consumption was popularised by Arabian monks, who
appreciated its ability to help them pray longer with more attention.
- Spanish explorers brought chocolate back to Europe from the New
World in the 1500s, after tasting the treat from Aztec Emperor
Montezuma.
- Cola beverages were created in the mid 1880s and first introduced
to Asia at the turn of the twentieth century.
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