Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body - Research Paper Example

Inserts His/her Inserts Inserts Grade Inserts Here (Day, Month, Year) Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body Abstract This paper aims to provide information regarding the effects of caffeine on human body. Caffeine is a chemical compound most commonly associated with coffee even though substantial amounts of this chemical is present in other materials like tea, cold drinks and energy boosting drinks. It is widely believed that caffeine is a drug which causes addiction and has many harmful effects on the body. This paper aims to research the controversy of these effects. Some of the effects reportedly associated with Caffeine intake are rise in blood pressure, high level of alertness, affects on length and quality of sleep and stunt growth. Though it has also been observed that all individuals do not provide the same response to the stimulus of Caffeine, it nevertheless has been an issue of great concern whether there are any general and noticeable effects of Caffeine on the human body. Introduction: Caffeine is a chemical compound regarded as one of the three most used drugs of the world that affect the mood of the user. Caffeine is said to be a potent and quick-acting drug that produces the same effect on the human body as stress does (Connelly). Caffeine is present in numerous everyday intakes like coffee, tea, cocoa and energy boosting drinks. The amount of Caffeine in the energy boosting drinks is dangerously high, which is one of the major contributing factors towards the hyperactivity following the intake of these drinks. These effects of Caffeine occur instantly and can prevail for 6-8 hours after the consumption. Caffeine is regarded as a drug because of its addictive nature and withdrawal symptoms. The usage of Caffeine-containing beverages and products is very common, such that it has become an everyday need for many people to carry out their day-to-day tasks properly. Research has proven that the effects of Caffeine on the body is differentiated by size (like built, weight etc.) and gender (Rhodes). However, these may not be the only factors influencing the onset of Caffeine effects. It is commonly believed that Caffeine does not affect every individual in the same way. The purpose of this research paper is also the analysis of the effects of Caffeine on the human body. Materials and Methods: Different assumptions will require different sample specifications and methodologies. For analyzing the effect of Caffeine on Blood Pressure, we will need to take a sample of 6 fit individuals; 2 adult males, 1male child, 2 adult females and 1 female child. Before the start of the experiment, all 6 individuals’ Blood Pressures will be noted. Then, 1 adult male, 1 adult female and both the children will be administered with Caffeine (a cup of coffee) while the remaining 2 will be given placebo compounds (sugar). Immediately after administration, the blood pressure will be noted again for all 6 individuals and this will continue with 15minutes time span for the next 6 hours. For analyzing the effect of Caffeine on Alertness, we will require a sample of 4 individuals at minimum. Each individual will be assigned a task to perform (solve mathematics problems) under three different conditions; without the administration of Caffeine, with the administration of a certain amount of caffeine (a cup of coffee) and lastly with another administration of the same amount of caffeine as earlier, i.e., double the amount of caffeine (another cup of coffee) (O’Brien). For assessing the effect of Caffeine on Growth, we will require a minimum of 2 individuals. 1 will be administered with Caffeine products while the other will remain away from Caffeine. Visible effects of Caffeine will not be observable; however, we will be able to analyze the effect of Caffeine on growth by noting its effect on Calcium absorption (Ho and Provis). Observation and Analysis: In the first experiment regarding blood pressure, we will notice that those individuals who were given Caffeine faced increase in their blood pressure, peaking at 30minutes after administration. Those administered with placebo showed no change in their blood pressures while children immediately responded to this stimulus and showed an immediate peak in their blood pressure. Therefore it is safe to analyze that Caffeine does have an effect on the blood pressure of its users. In the second experiment regarding alertness, it was noted that those papers solved without caffeine administration yielded the poorest results. The ingestion of double quantity of Caffeine yielded the best results whereas those who took a single dose of Caffeine yielded intermediary results. Thus, we can conclude that Caffeine does have an effect on the alertness of its users. In the third experiment in which we were to analyze the effect of Caffeine on growth, we will be able to observe through laboratory tests that the person excessively administered with Caffeine had developed weaker bones due to the loss of Calcium through urine. The person who did not consume Caffeine would develop healthier bones because the Calcium intake and absorption will not be hindered. Results: In the first experiment, the individuals reported a response to the stimulus of Caffeine. Caffeine intake caused increase in blood pressure, with the children being more rapidly affected by this drug. This result supports that fact that Caffeine effects are differentiated by size (the children had smaller bodies and hence responded immediately) and gender. Also, Caffeine does have an effect on the blood pressure of the users in the form of an increase. Furthermore, the effects of Caffeine start wearing off 2 hours after administration – the increase in blood pressure is more pronounced when the Caffeine is just administered, however, with passage of time, the blood pressure eventually normalized. In the second experiment, Caffeine had a profound effect on the alertness of its users. Those who consumed no caffeine were least able to think rapidly and logically, whereas those who consumed double amount of caffeine were able to think hyperactively. Caffeine had provided the nerve cells with a boost whereby the individual was able to judge quickly. This means that Caffeine increases the alertness of its users by boosting the nerve cell operations. In the third experiment, we observed that Caffeine hindered proper Calcium absorption which caused the weakening of bones. It was also seen that Calcium was being lost through the urine of the users due to inabsorption. This means that Caffeine causes stunt growth because a vital element of growth – Calcium – is not able to be taken in efficiently. This means that Caffeine does have effects on the human body. Even though all bodies do not respond to Caffeine in the same way, however, some general trends do exist in the responses received due to Caffeine intake. Discussion: It need not be further enforced that the hypothesis regarding the effects of Caffeine on the human body are true. Not only the investigated effects, but Caffeine also has several other effects on the human body. Caffeine is associated with Sleep deprivation because the Caffeine content makes the human body hyperactive and hence unable to relax. Also, Caffeine is also reported to have effects on a number of hormones of the human body like the Adrenaline, Adenosine, Cortisol, Dopamine etc. (Scott). Other effects include irritation of stomach lining and heightening of the intensity of mental activity. Excessive Caffeine intake can cause severe problems. Caffeine is also accredited for miscarriage in pregnant women. Moreover, trying to eliminate Caffeine intake all of a sudden can cause withdrawal symptoms like headache and nausea. Hence Caffeine is rightfully classified as a drug due to its addictive nature. In the end, I would conclude by saying that Caffeine does have effects on the human body – some short term and some long term. Caffeine should always be used moderately as an excess can be seriously detrimental to health. Also, oral tablets and energy boosting drinks should not be used unless dire times occur because these products have hazardously high amounts of caffeine in a single dose. Hence Caffeine consumption should be kept at a low level to lead healthy, problem-free lives. Works Cited Connelly, Reg. “Be Careful with Caffeine”. pe2000.com. Pegasus NLP Newsletter. 18 Sep. 2011. Web. 19 Sep. 2011. Rhodes, Samantha. “The Effects of Caffeine on Your Body”. lifescript.com. Life script; Healthy Living For Women. 3 May 2007. Web. 19 Sep. 2011. O’Brien, Sean M. “The Effects of Caffeine on Alertness”. usc.edu. California State Science Fair. 2003. Web. 19 Sep. 2011. Ho, Wilson, and Provis, Hayden. “Does Caffeine Stunt Your Growth?” odec.ca. Virtual Science Fair. n.d. Web. 19 Sep. 2011. Scott, Elizabeth. “Caffeine, Stress and Your Health: Is Caffeine your Friend or your Foe?” about.com. Stress Management. 1 Nov. 2007. Web. 19 Sep. 2011. Read More