Caffeine: The Pros and Cons

Is Caffeine Safe?

When it comes to caffeine, one of the most commonly asked questions would be, “Is caffeine safe?” In terms of raw medical data, about 400mg of caffeine is safe to have daily. That’s equal to fours cups of coffee, about 10 cans of soda, or 2 of any of the popular, “Energy Shot,” drinks. More than that can lead to difficulty sleeping, headaches, and irregular heartbeat–although someone who drinks a lot of caffeinated products may, of course, find increasing their intake above 400mg has less impact than a person who rarely drinks items with caffeine. Below discover the pros an cons of caffeine.

The Pros of Caffeine

Caffeine has positives for those who consume it. Besides the obvious benefit of feeling more alert and awake, it’s also been shown in studies to assist with reducing the risk of various heart diseases, stimulate the liver so as to prevent cancer growth within it, and may combat Type 2 diabetes.

As coffee is considered a mood stimulant, studies have actually found people who drink a good deal of caffeine (specifically coffee in the studies) have a reduced suicide rate of all things, and because coffee (which is, of course, full of caffeine) is often ingested in social situations it has oftentimes been discussed in the manner of being as much of a “Social Stimulant” as a physical one.

The Cons of Caffeine

The pros and cons of caffeine can vary from person-to-person. Even if someone does not have their health or general well-being hurt by caffeine, it may have side-effects that are undesirable. Sometimes, even a small amount of caffeine can make someone feel jittery, struggle when trying to fall asleep, experience a headache, irritable, and nauseous.

It also should be pointed out that sometimes the products with caffeine in them are also full of sugars or milk-fat (sodas or coffee with creamer, respectively), making it sometimes not the caffeine in a beverage that is a health concern so much as all the other processed elements.

As with almost anything in life, moderation is key. Everyone has their own degree of sensitivity to caffeine and for those individuals, they should ingest an amount that can impart the benefits but avoid the negatives.

Caffeine: Your Mileage May Vary

While caffeine may be safe for adults when enjoyed around an ingestion-rate of 400mg (give or take depending how much caffeine someone normally intakes), some people may find they are very sensitive to it and needless, while others desire a lot more. In the end, it’s all about moderation and depending on how your own body reacts to caffeine, your mileage may vary.