Caffeine Health Benefits

Caffeine has been having an indecent reputation as far as health is concerned. But with a few facts clarified you will know that this substance is not so bad. In fact, when used in optimal doses it has more health benefits than one.Natural sources of caffeine are guarana, mate and cola nuts. The real coffee has an extremely bitter flavor hence sweeteners and flavoring agents are added.

Being lipid soluble, the caffeine is able to close the brain blood barrier fast and immediately acts as a nervous stimulant. It is the amount of caffeine present per drink and sugar content used to flavor it that we need to worry about. Though the drug needs about 45 minutes to get completely metabolized and another 3 hours to be eliminated, the effect is for more time.

Two cups of coffee every day provide 75 mg to 200 mg of caffeine to the body. This is the most appropriate amount to be taken. Once the intake crosses 4 to 5 cups, i.e. more than 350 mg of caffeine, the risk of caffeine dependence increases considerably.

Intake of 8 to 9 cups i.e.  above 650 mg a day is considered as the lethal dose leading to chronic insomnia, irregular arrhythmia and reduced fertility. Regular soft drinks contain about 20 mg to 35 mg of caffeine.

One regular chocolate bar may contain 5 mg to 60 mg of caffeine! So, next time you add chocolate sauce or syrup on your ice cream, beware.

Regular benefits of caffeine are increased concentration and improvement in intellectual tasks, although the influence varies from person to person. Caffeine helps in increasing strength of muscles, improves fat metabolism and helps in weight loss.

No wonder most of weight loss preparations contain caffeine as one of the key ingredients. Also, coffee and tea contain no fat at all. If you can drink without adding cream and sugar to these drinks then they may actually help you lose pounds faster.

Coffee and tea are said to provide relief to headache because of the caffeine content. It has been found that those who drink limited amount of coffee and tea are at a lower risk of suffering from depression.

Studies show that optimal amounts of caffeine improve sperm mobility but scientists are still uncertain about it.