Table of ContentsThe Chemical and Its SourcesMedically Known as TrimethylxanthineEffects of Caffeine on HumansHealth BenefitsCaffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of more than 63 plant species worldwide. It is an alkaloid of the methylxanthine family. The methylxanthines caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine), and theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) are commonly found in tea leaves, kola nuts, coffee beans, cocoa beans, mate. leaves and other types of plants. While coffee and tea drinks naturally contain caffeine and other methylxanthines, caffeine is a component of many soft drinks, including colas, pepper drinks, and citrus drinks. Pure caffeine appears as odorless, white, woolly masses of shiny needles of powder. Its molecular weight is 194.19 g, its melting point is 236 °C, the sublime point of caffeine is 178 °C at atmospheric pressure, its pH is 6.9 (1% solution). ), its density is 1.2, its volatility is 0.5%, its vapor pressure is 760 mmHg. at 178°C, the solubility in water is 2.17%, the vapor density is 6.7. Caffeine has attracted more attention in recent decades due to its physiological effects beyond its stimulant effect. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines caffeine as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance. However, the FDA specifies that the maximum amount in soft drinks is limited to 0.02% (FDA 2006). Therefore, the highest legal amount of caffeine allowed in a 355 ml (12 oz) can of soft drink is approximately 71 mg. Caffeine has attracted interest from consumers and health professionals due to its wide dietary consumption by a significant percentage of the population and its pharmacological effects in humans (Mandel 2002). The level of caffeine in human saliva, which demonstrates the degree of absorption, peaks approximately 40 minutes after caffeine consumption (Liguori et al 1997). Its physiological effects on many body systems have been studied by researchers, including the central nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and renal systems (Nehliget al 1992). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defined caffeine as a drug and its abuse is indicated when athletes have urine caffeine concentrations greater than 12 µg/mL. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayCaffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It is one of the most popular drugs in the world, used by up to 90% of people worldwide in some form, but mainly in drinks. It is a substance naturally found in plants like cocoa beans, tea leaves and kola nuts. The strongest effects of caffeine are felt about an hour after taking it, but some effects last for 4 to 6 hours. Caffeine causes an increase in neuron firing in the brain, which the pituitary gland perceives as an emergency and therefore causes the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. Caffeine also increases levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter affected by drugs like amphetamines and heroin. Obviously, it acts at a much lower level than those drugs, but this could be the source of caffeine's addictive nature. The chemical and its sources Caffeine is now considered "the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world."world ". Some studies estimate that 90% or more of this country's population consumes caffeine, whether through food, drinks, or prescription or over-the-counter medications. The most common sources of caffeine for Americans include brewed coffee, brewed tea, typical cola drinks, milk and dark chocolate, and over-the-counter medications like "Anacin" and "Vivarin." Caffeine is an alkaloid or nitrogen-containing substance with the chemical formula C8H10N4O2. It belongs to the family of chemicals called methylxanthines, which also includes the closely related chemicals theophylline and theobromine. In its pure form, caffeine “comes in the form of odorless, white, woolly masses, shiny needles or powder. Like all methylxanthines, caffeine has low solubility and is therefore often combined with a wide variety of compounds to form complexes, such as double salt sodium benzoate, for medicinal purposes. Known as trimethylxanthine, caffeine and other methylxanthines are found in nature “in plants.” widely distributed geographically. »12 Tea, prepared from the leaves of the Theasunensis plant, naturally contains the three aforementioned methylxanthines and is consumed by at least half of the world's population.13 Cacao and chocolate are produced "from the seeds of Theobroma cacao » ; both contain caffeine and theobromine, and both are used worldwide.14 The most obvious and largest source of caffeine consumption in the United States, coffee, is produced from the plant Coffea arabica.15 Before the deliberate insertion of additional caffeine during production, many sodas contained a natural form of caffeine "due to their Cola acuminata nut extract content."16 Although it was present in abundance in nature from a wide variety of sources, caffeine is also "created synthetically and through extraction." most commonly consumed caffeinated beverage. The caffeine contained in coffee is a bioactive compound with stimulating effects on the central nervous system and a positive effect on long-term memory. Although coffee consumption has historically been associated with adverse health effects, new research indicates that coffee consumption may be beneficial. Here we discuss the impact of coffee and caffeine on health and draw attention to the evolving caffeine landscape that includes new caffeinated energy drinks and supplements, often targeting children and adolescents . Caffeine has many physiological effects on major organ systems, including the nervous system. , the cardiovascular system, the digestive system and the respiratory system. Kidney function and skeletal muscles are also affected by caffeine. Many studies have proven that caffeine is a stimulant of the human central nervous system (Spiller, 1998). It also increases heart rate, dilates blood vessels, and elevates free fatty acid and plasma glucose levels. 1 g of caffeine causes insomnia, nervousness, nausea, ringing in the ears, piercing flashes of light and tremors. In case of overdose and in combination with alcohol, narcotics and other drugs, these compounds produce a toxic, sometimes fatal effect (Mamina and Pershin, 2002; Ben Yuhas, 2002; Manyika et al., 2010; James et al., 1990; Caffeine facilitates the conduction velocity in the heart and directly affects the contractility of the heart and blood vessels. However, caffeine can reduce.