☕ How Caffeine Affects the Body
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects your brain, nervous system, heart, and more. It's found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and some medications.
⚡ What Caffeine Does in the Body:
๐ง Boosts Alertness
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Blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel sleepy.
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Increases dopamine and norepinephrine → improves focus, mood, and reaction time.
❤️ Raises Heart Rate & Blood Pressure
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Stimulates the heart and can temporarily raise blood pressure.
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Can cause a racing heart in sensitive individuals or at high doses.
๐ช Improves Physical Performance
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Helps release adrenaline, which prepares your body for action (the "fight or flight" hormone).
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Increases endurance and reduces perceived effort during exercise.
๐ฆ Acts as a Mild Diuretic
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Can increase urination, though the effect is less significant for regular users.
๐ด Side Effects of Too Much Caffeine:
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Anxiety or jitteriness
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Insomnia or disrupted sleep
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Stomach upset or acid reflux
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Dependence and withdrawal (headaches, fatigue, irritability)
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Increased heart palpitations or dizziness
☕ Safe Daily Limit:
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For most adults: up to 400 mg/day
= about 4 cups of coffee (but varies by drink)
๐ง♀️ Who Should Be More Cautious?
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People with anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, or heart issues
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Pregnant individuals (limit to ~200 mg/day)
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Children and teens (limit or avoid)