Central Philippine University
College of Engineering
Research Analysis: Effects of Caffeine
by
Charity Mae D. Legarde
BSChE - 2
“THE NEUROLOGIC EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE”
Introduction
Studies have it that excessive caffeine consumption can be detrimental to our health.
Caffeine, chemically known as 1,3,7-trimethylcanthine or 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-
1H-purine-2,6-dione, is a natural chemical that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
stimulatory properties (Rodak et al., 2021). It is a well-known purine alkaloid that is described as
a white, odorless powder with a slightly bitter taste (Rodak et al., 2021). The production of
caffeine is done by extraction from green coffee beans and tea leaves, as well as through
synthetic procedures like the methylation of various xanthines and theophylline (Rodak et al.,
2021).
Data and Statistics
According to statistics, approximately 154 million adults or 75% of the US population aged
20 years old and above, are reported to drink coffee (Loftfield et al., 2016). The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) recommends caffeine limit to about 400 milligrams per day, which
amounts to about four cups of regular coffee (Loftfield et al., 2016).
Effects
At low doses, caffeine is proven to have a positive effect on cognitive performance,
memory and brain function. Caffeine action happens through several mechanisms, which include
blocking of adenosine inhibitory effects through its receptors; it indirectly affects the release of
norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA), and perhaps neuropeptides, some of these are commonly known as sleep-promoting
receptors in the brain (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research,
2001).
At high doses, on the other hand, it may be responsible for nervousness, anxiety,
headache and chest pain.
There are scientifically known positive and negative effects of caffeine.
The positive effects of caffeine are observed in diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease
(AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), asthma, cirrhosis and fibrogenesis among others. According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), epidemiologic studies have found that
PD is less common in people who drink coffee as caffeine has “protective effects” that can lower
the risk of developing AD or PD, both of which are neurodegenerative disorders (CDC, 2013).
Caffeine is also considered to have a therapeutic impact on pain due to its antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory properties (WebMD, n.d.).
Moreover, negative effects are observed in Huntington’s disease, arrhythmia, tachycardia
and lung cancer. According to a study, caffeine intake of about >190 mg/d is associated with the
early age onset of Huntington's disease (HD) (Kolahdouzan & Hamadeh, 2017).
Conclusion
The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and stimulatory properties of caffeine are proven to
be effective in the prevention against many diseases in moderate doses; It can be detrimental,
however, to one’s overall health when taken in high doses as it disrupts the natural bodily
processes. Thus, understanding the chemical properties behind this potent chemical can help us
exploit the positive effects of caffeine.
REFERENCES
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military N. (2001). Caffeine for the Sustainment of
Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. National Academies
Press (US). [Link]
Kolahdouzan, M. & Hamadeh, H. (2017, April). The neuroprotective effects of caffeine in
neurodegenerative diseases. National Library of Medicine.
[Link]
Loftfield, E. et al. (2016). National Center for Biotechnology Information. National Library of
Medicine. [Link]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, January 29). Genetics, coffee consumption,
and Parkinson’s disease Questions. CDC.
[Link]
Caffeinated%2Dcoffee%20consumption%20may%20protect,PD%20in%20heavy%20cof
fee%20drinkers.
Rodak, K. et al. (2021). Caffeine as a Factor Influencing the Functioning of the Human Body—
Friend or Foe?. National Library of Medicine. [Link]
WebMD. (n.d.). Caffeine - Uses, Side Effects, And More. WebMD.
[Link]