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The effect of caffeine on human health
The effect of caffeine on human health
The effect of caffeine on human health
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Recommended: The effect of caffeine on human health
Jacob Helget
Experiment 5 Covalent Molecules
Section 12 – Thursday 2:00-4:45
Lab Instructor: William Bott
Caffeine
Caffeine is a very interesting chemical. Caffeine is found in many places including coffee plant, tea leaves, kola nuts and cocoa (1). Humans then process these plants into food stuff that contains caffeine such as tea, coffee and chocolate. Caffeine is composed of 14 atoms with a molecular formula of C8H10N4O2. It is one of the few central nervous system stimulants still legal in most countries (2). The chemical name for caffeine is 1-methyltheobromine (2).
The molecular weight of caffeine is 194.19 g/mol (3). This is a relatively large weight when compared to other chemical compounds such as water which has a molecular weight of 18.015 g/mol and methanol which has a molecular weight of 32.042 g/mol (3). The density is 1.23 g/mL which means that if pure caffeine were placed in a container of water it would sink to the bottom of the container. The melting point of caffeine is 238°C. Technically caffeine does not boil; but, it does transition directly into a ga...
Planaria are commonly known as flatworms. These flatworms have sensory organs which allow them to detect light using eyespots (Planaria,2017). The eyespots contain receptors that are highly sensitive to light stimuli causing planaria to prefer darkness. Planaria do not have lungs nor gills. Oxygen enters their bodies through membrane diffusion. Although planaria are just worms, their body react very similar to that of humans when injected with certain drugs or stimulants. One overused and highly popular stimulant is caffeine. Caffeine is known to increase individual’s energy and physical activity which makes them more alert of the surroundings. This observation leads to the question of how different concentrations of caffeine would affect planaria’s
The objective of this experiment was to perform extraction. This is a separation and purification technique, based on different solubility of compounds in immiscible solvent mixtures. Extraction is conducted by shaking the solution with the solvent, until two layers are formed. One layer can then be separated from the other. If the separation does not happen in one try, multiple attempts may be needed.
Caffeine is produced by plants as an insecticide. It is a drug that acts as a stimulant in humans and causes a raised heart rate, and is used to give more energy in drinks such as tea and coffee, add flavour to drinks such as coke, and in weight-loss foods. A raised heart rate increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as it makes the heart work faster which can wear it out. High levels of caffeine have been linked to increased stress and insomnia, which is also linked to heart disease as it raises blood pressure.
Caffeine is a bitter white alkaloid found in coffee, tea, and kola nuts and is used as a stimulant and diuretic. It is a stimulant, which means it increases your heart rate and metabolism and makes you feel more alert. If pregnant you should do best to limit yourself to 200mg of caffeine a day. If you regularly have more than 200mg of caffeine during your pregnancy, it could increase the risk of a miscarriage or your baby having a low birth weight. A low birth weight may mean your baby has some health problems when he’s born or in the future.
Caffeine is a plant product, and it is a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. It is commonly found in coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate. (University of Michigan - University Health Service, https://www.uhs.umich.edu/caffeine)
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that occurs naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. Caffeine is part of the methylxanthine family. It consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it. Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers. Caffeine’s widespread use and popularity have caused many people to view the substance as an addictive drug. Thus making caffeine the most inexpensive and readily available drug known to man. Then on the other hand there are people who view caffeine as a helpful stimulant that increases the individual’s concentration and awareness as well as many other physical traits. The important thing to remember is that caffeine’s affects vary based on the person, the amount ingested, the frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism. (http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/caffeine.html)
A lot of people often wonder what caffeine is. When isolated in pure form, caffeine is a white crystalline powder that tastes very bitter. The chief source of pure caffeine is the process of decaffeinating coffee or tea. Caffeine is used to provide“boost energy” or a feeling of heightened alertness. It is often used to stay awake longer and late into the night. Many people feel as though they “cannot function” in the morning without a cup of coffee to provide caffeine and the boost it gives them. Caffeine is an addictive drug. It operates using the same mechanisms that amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin use to stimulate the brain. Caffeine effects are more mild than amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin, but it is manipulating the same channels, and that is one of the things that gives caffeine its addictive qualities. If you feel like you have to have caffeine everyday and cannot live without it, then you are considered addicted to caffeine.
Caffeine functions similarly to the hormone adrenaline (State Government of Victoria, 2014), and increases dopamine levels causing you to feel happy. It blocks adenosine receptors, which prevents you from feeling drowsy (Staci, 2012). Caffeine also stimulates the brain, improves comprehension, memory, reflexes, and the clarity of thoughts (Important Facts About Caffeine, 2011).
Caffeine is the most popular and most widely used stimulant in the world. In Canada, the average person drinks 2.6 cups of coffee a day; that is equivalent to 949 cups of coffee a year. (Van Houtte) Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that improves ones attention, focus, and fatigue. When caffeine is ingested it causes your neurons to move at a faster rate, increasing alertness. (Fit Day) Caffeine also binds to the neural receptors, which blocks the adenosine, which prolongs tiredness. Caffeine is a white odorless powder that is most commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and pops. Caffeine can also be considered and ergogenic aid. Ergogenic aids are external influences that enhance/ improves ones strength, endurance, reaction time and speed of recovery. (Healthline) The three theories that make caffeine an ergogenic aid during exercise is the effect it has on the central nervous system, skeletal muscles, and metabolic changes. (Sheila G. Dean) Caffeine also has a positive effect on an individual’s health, some positive effects include: reduces risk of developing liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. (Chawala) Caffeine has been proven to have positive effects on an athlete’s performance, and ones overall health.
By this definition, and after knowing the effects of caffeine upon the human body, I have come to the conclusion that drinking caffeine is a sign of a lack of respect for oneself, and of an unappreciative attitude toward the life that each of us has been blessed with. Furthermore, it shows of either our inability, or unwillingness to learn to think clearly.
Caffeine is a stimulant that has not been given the attention that some says it deserves. Caffeine is found in many everyday substances. It can be found in coffee, tea or sodas. Caffeine can be found on almost every street corner. There is a coffee place in just about every town. Sodas and coffee are found...
Caffeine is the single most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the United States (Einöther & Giesbrecht, 2013). According to Einöther and Giesbrecht (2013), 80% of the world’s population consumes caffeinated products every day, with coffee and tea being the primary sources. In the recent years, the demand for
Caffeine is a chemical found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and various easy to get foods and drinks. Like all drugs, caffeine has its good and bad side. Caffeine’s categorized as a stimulant, meaning it temporarily increases alertness and energy. With this stated, you may ask yourself, what’s so bad about a little high associated with coffee or chocolate? I mean it’s practically harmless, right.
Sereshti, H. & Samadi, S. (2014). A rapid and simple determination of caffeine in teas, coffees and eight beverages. Food Chemistry, 158, 8-13.
In principle, the separation of caffeine from CO2 can be achieved by reducing pressure. However, this will lead to high costs for recycling the CO2. Another alternative techniques are used to separate the caffeine isobaric from the supercritical CO2. One of the techniques is to absorb caffeine onto activated carbon. The advantage of this method is that energy consumption is reduced. Another technique is absorption in water, since the equilibrium concentration of caffeine in water is much higher than in gaseous phase. An addition advantage of this method is that the extracted caffeine can be recovered and sold as an additional product. Both of these technique are currently used in commercial processes for