Health
Caffeine, Size does Matter
Chad Collins, R.D.
Registered Dietitian
Nutrix Ltd.
Caffeine is typically found in coffee, tea,colas and cocoa based products like chocolate. Caffeine is a truestimulant drug, increasing our breathing rate, heart rate andblood pressure; giving it, its wake-up effects. Generally in smalldoses, about the amount found in about 1 -2 cups of brewed coffee,it is relatively harmless in a healthy adult.
Caffeine is not addictive, but it is habitforming and the body adapts to its use, to some extent. At dosesgreater than what the body has adapted to causes jitteriness,nervousness and intestinal discomforts.
Also, stopping taking caffeine after regularuse in the form of coffee, tea, or colas can cause some withdrawalsymptoms, with the most typical symptom being a headache.
An important thing to keep in mind aboutcaffeine is that its stimulating effects are body size related.That is, the smaller you are the more affected you are by caffeine.
This should especially be kept in mind forchildren. A young child drinking a small bottle of soda can havethe same caffeine related effects as an adult drinking 4 cupsof instant coffee. Sugar does not cause hyperactivity, but thecaffeine in chocolates and sodas can.
Also, during breastfeeding, caffeine canenter the breast milk causing the baby to feel the effects ofthe caffeine. Breastfeeding mothers with an irritable and restlessbaby should determine if there is caffeine in their diet.