Difference between revisions of "Caffeine" - New World Encyclopedia

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! {{chembox header}} | General
 
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| [[IUPAC nomenclature|Systematic name]]
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| [[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry|IUPAC nomenclature]]
| 1,3,7-trimethyl-1''H''-purine-2,6(3''H'',7''H'')-dione
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| 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione
 
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| Other names
 
| Other names
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| O=C1C2=C(N=CN2C)N(C(=O)N1C)C
 
| O=C1C2=C(N=CN2C)N(C(=O)N1C)C
 
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| [[Molar mass]]
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| Molar mass
 
| 194.19 g/mol
 
| 194.19 g/mol
 
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| [http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C1410.html External MSDS]
 
| [http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C1410.html External MSDS]
 
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| Main [[Worker safety and health|hazard]]s
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| Main hazards
 
| May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed<br/>or absorbed through the skin.
 
| May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed<br/>or absorbed through the skin.
 
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| [[NFPA 704]]
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| NFPA 704
 
| {{NFPA 704 | Health=2 | Flammability=1 }}
 
| {{NFPA 704 | Health=2 | Flammability=1 }}
 
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| [[Flash point]]
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| Flash point
 
| N/A
 
| N/A
 
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| [[RTECS]] number
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| RTECS number
 
| EV6475000
 
| EV6475000
 
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| {{chembox header}} | <small>Except where noted otherwise, data are given for<br> materials in their [[standard state|standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)]]<br/>[[wikipedia:Chemical infobox|Infobox disclaimer and references]]</small>
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| {{chembox header}} | <small>Except where noted otherwise, data are given for<br> materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)<br/>|-
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'''Caffeine''' is a naturally occuring chemical found  only in certain plants. At present, there are  63 plant species known
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'''Caffeine''' is a chemical compound that is made by [[plant]]s. Caffeine is classified as a methylxanthine [[alkaloid]]. It is a [[central nervous system]] stimulant. In its pure form, it is a white powder that is odorless with a slightly bitter taste.  
to contain caffeine.<ref>http://www.phytomedical.com/plant/caffeine</ref>,
 
which include the plants from which we obtain coffee,tea,cocoa and guarana. Historically the most popular source of caffeine in the human diet has been from coffee and tea. Today, beverages containing added caffeine — such as colas and energy drinks — enjoy popularity great enough to make caffeine the world's most popular psychoactive drug.
 
  
Other, less commonly used sources of caffeine include the plants yerba mate and guaraná, which are sometimes used in the preparation of teas and, more recently, energy drinks.  Extracts of guarana have a prolonged stimulatory effect, lasting an average of six to eight hours, due to the slower absorption rate of its fatty composition.  
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At present there are 63 different species of plants known to contain caffeine (Phytomedical Technologies 2006). Historically, the most common food sources of caffeine in the human diet have been [[coffee]] (from the coffee plant, ''Coffea sp.''), [[tea]] (from the tea plant, ''Camellia sinensis''), and [[chocolate]] (from the cacao plant, ''Theobroma cacao'').
  
Caffeine is classified as a xanthine alkaloid. In its pure form it is a white powder that is odorless with a slightly bitter taste.
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Some less common sources of caffeine are cassine (''Ilex vomitoria''), yoco (''Paullinia yoco''), mate' (from yerba mate, ''Ilex paraguariensis''), and guaraná (''Paullinia cupana'') (Hill 1952). Today, beverages containing added caffeine&mdash;such as colas and energy drinks&mdash;enjoy popularity great enough to make caffeine the world's most widely consumed psychoactive [[drug]]. Global consumption of caffeine is estimated to be 76 milligrams (mg) per person per day. In the [[United States]], the average is 238 mg per person per day (RSNA 2005).  
  
The name caffeine is derived apparently from the Italian word ''caffè'' for ("coffee") plus the alkaloid suffix ''-ine''. Caffeine is a [[central nervous system]] (CNS) stimulant, having the effect of restoring alertness.  
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Because of its stimulant quality, many people consider caffeine to have a beneficial impact on their lives, including greater mental alertness, faster flow of thought, improved focus, and better coordination. It has even been used by the [[Sufi]]s as a spiritual aid, to help with their prayers. However, if caffeine is to be consumed, self-discipline and moderation are also required. While this drug has been considered safe if used in moderate amounts, overconsumption has been tied to such deleterious symptoms as nervousness, insomnia, and jitteriness, and long-term effects of prolonged, repeated use can include risk of stomach ulcers, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms (such as headache, irritability, tiredness, and depression).  
  
In nature, caffeine is found in widely varying concentrations with other [[xanthine]] [[alkaloid]]s  such as [[theophylline]] and [[theobromine]], which are cardiac stimulants.  
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In nature, caffeine is found in varying concentrations along with other xanthine alkaloids such as theophylline and theobromine, which are also stimulants.  
  
 
== Sources of caffeine ==
 
== Sources of caffeine ==
[[Image:A small cup of coffee.JPG|200px|left|thumb|Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world.]]
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[[Image:A small cup of coffee.JPG|200px|left|thumb|Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world]]
 
 
The world's primary source of caffeine is the coffee bean (the seed of the [[Coffea|coffee plant]]), from which [[coffee]] is brewed. Caffeine content in coffee varies widely depending on the variety of coffee bean and the method of preparation used, but in general one serving of coffee ranges from about 40 mg for a single [[shot]] (30mL) of arabica variety [[espresso]] to about 100 mg for strong drip coffee. Generally, dark roast coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts since the roasting process reduces caffeine content of the bean. [[Arabica]] coffee normally contains less caffeine  than the [[Robusta]] variety. Coffee also contains trace amounts of [[theophylline]], but no [[theobromine]]. <ref>http://www.nobleharbor.com/tea/caffiene.html</ref>
 
  
[[Tea]] is another common source of caffeine in many cultures. Tea generally contains somewhat less caffeine per serving than coffee,  depending on the strength of the brew, though certain types of tea, such as [[black tea|black]] and [[oolong]], contain somewhat more caffeine than most other teas. Tea contains small amounts of [[theobromine]] and slightly higher levels of [[theophylline]] than coffee.
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The world's primary source of caffeine is the coffee bean (the seed of the [[coffee]] plant), from which coffee is brewed. There are many species of the genus ''Coffea'' whose caffeine content varies widely. There are many factors affecting the caffeine content of a cup of coffee including the type of bean, the roasting method, and the method of preparation used, but in general, one 8 oz. serving of coffee has about 100 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Darker roasts of coffee have less caffeine than lighter roasts, since the roasting process reduces the caffeine content of the bean. Arabica coffee beans average 24 mg/gram (g) of caffeine whereas the Robusta variety averages 13 mg/g (Casal et al. 2000).
  
Caffeine is also a common additive of soft drink such as colas, originally prepared from [[kola nut]]s. Soft drinks typically contain about 10 mg to 50 mg of caffeine per serving. By contrast, [[energy drink]]s such as [[Red Bull]] contain as much as 80 mg of caffeine per serving. The caffeine in these drinks either originates from the ingredients used or is an additive derived from the product of [[decaffeination]] or from chemical synthesis. [[Guarana]] PMID 16533867, a prime ingredient of energy drinks, contains large amounts of caffeine with small amounts of [[theobromine]] and [[theophylline]] in a naturally occurring [[slow-release]] [[excipient]].
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[[Tea]], another common source of caffeine, is produced by brewing leaves of the tea plant (''Camellia sinensis''), which has hundreds of varieties. The amount of oxidation that the plucked leaf undergoes determines whether it is classified as white, green, oolong, or black; where white has the least amount of oxidation of the leaf and black tea has the most. More oxidation results in higher levels of caffeine. In black tea, caffeine was found to be 25 mg/g of tea leaf, whereas in green tea the caffeine level was 15 mg/g of leaf (Khokhar et al. 2002).
  
[[Chocolate]] derived from [[cocoa]] is a weak stimulant, mostly due to its content of [[theobromine]] and [[theophylline]], but it also contains a small amount of caffeine.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15549276</ref> However, chocolate contains too little of these compounds for a reasonable serving to create effects in humans that are on par with [[coffee]]. A typical serving of a milk chocolate bar (28g) has about as much caffeine as a cup of [[decaffeinated]] coffee.
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Guarana beverages are made from the [[seed]]s of the plant ''Paullinia cupana'' that have been roasted, ground to a paste, and dissolved in water. This paste is also used to make medicines or to flavor foods. Guarana seeds contain larger amounts of caffeine than do coffee beans, with reported levels as high as 80 mg per gram of seed (Raintree Nutrition 2006)  
  
Finally, caffeine may also be purchased in most areas in the form of pills that contain from 50mg to 200mg. Caffeine pills are regulated differently by different nations.  
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Often considered one of the most delicious sources of caffeine is [[chocolate]]. This is obtained from the seeds of the cacao plant, ''Theobroma cacao''. These seeds are processed to make cocoa, chocolate, and cocoa butter. Cacao seeds have only a small amount of caffeine, with 2.5 mg/g. A typical serving of a milk chocolate bar (28 g) has about 20 mg of caffeine.
  
The [[European Union]] requires that a warning be placed on the packaging of any food whose caffeine content exceeds 150 mg per litre. In many other countries, however, caffeine is classified as a [[flavouring]] and is unregulated. <!-- This needs to be fleshed out considerably —>
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Cola (kola) nuts are a natural source of caffeine that were once used as the sole source of caffeine in the first Coca-Cola beverages. There are about 40 species of the cola plant, with ''Cola nitida'', and ''C.acuminata'' being the most common commercial species. Cola nuts contain up to 25 mg of caffeine per gram.
  
===Caffeine equivalents===
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Yerba mate' (''Ilex paraguensis'') is a tree that grows in South America; its leaves are used to make a caffeine-containing tea. The flavor and aroma of the leaves of the wild trees are considered by some to be much better than the cultivated ones. The level of caffeine in the leaves is about 20 mg/g.
In general, each of the following contains approximately 200 [[kilogram#SI multiples|milligrams ['''mg''']]] of caffeine:
 
  
* '''One and a half''' [[Pound (mass)|pound]]s of [[milk chocolate]] (680 [[gram|grams ['''g''']]])
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Most modern soft drinks that contain caffeine rely on purified caffeine as the sole source. Some sports or energy drinks have very high levels of this stimulant. Red Bull has about 100 mg of caffeine per serving. Soft drinks like Coca-Cola contain 23 mg per 8oz (Coca Cola 2006) and Pepsi One contains 36 mg per 8oz (Pepsi 2005). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows caffeine to be added to cola-type beverages up to 0.02 percent and it must appear on the label as an ingredient. The European Union requires that a warning be placed on the packaging of any food whose caffeine content exceeds 150 mg per liter.
* '''Two''' 8 [[fluid ounce]] containers of regular [[coffee]] (470 [[Milliliter#SI_prefixes_applied_to_the_litre|milliliters ['''mL''']]])
 
* '''Two''' Foosh mints <ref>[http://www.vroomfoods.com/foosh_mints.html Vroom Foods: FOOSH Energy Mints]</ref>
 
* '''Five''' 1 fluid ounce shots of [[espresso]] from [[robusta]] beans (150 mL)
 
* '''Five''' 8 fluid ounce cups of [[black tea]] (1.2 [[liter|liters ['''L''']]])
 
* '''Five''' 12 fluid ounce cans of typical [[soda pop]] (1.8 L) (variable)
 
* '''Ten''' 8 fluid ounce cups of [[green tea]] (2.4 L)
 
* '''Fifty''' 8 fluid ounce cups of [[decaf]]feinated coffee (12 L)
 
* '''Eight and a Half''' 8-Fluid Ounce cups of [[Coca-Cola Classic]] (2 L)
 
* '''Four''' 8-Fluid Ounce cups of [[Vault (soft drink)|Vault]] energy drink (1 L)
 
* '''Five''' 8-Fluid Ounce cups of [[Mountain Dew]] (1.2 L)
 
* '''Three''' 8-Fluid Ounce cups of [[Red Bull]] energy drink (710 mL)
 
Note: Caffeine content is highly unpredictable in coffee and tea drinks, especially in tea. Preparation has a huge impact on tea, and colour is a very poor indicator of caffeine content. Teas like the green Japanese Gyokuro contain far more caffeine than much darker teas like Lapsang Souchong, which has very little. Even approximate caffeine contents assigned to teas are generally at best a very inaccurate guess.
 
  
 
==History of caffeine use==
 
==History of caffeine use==
Coffee beans are indigenous to the land of [[Ethiopia]], and by the fourth century AD, were introduced to Arabia and the rest of the East.<ref name="abc.net">http://www.abc.net.au/quantum/poison/caffeine/caffeine.htm</ref>
 
  
[[Tea]] has been consumed in [[China]] for thousands of years, where traditional stories tell that [[monk]]s drank tea to stay awake during meditation practice. One legend has it that [[Bodhidharma]] cut his eyelids off to be able to stay awake longer, and the first tea plants grew from the spot where he flung them upon the ground.  
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Coffee plants are probably indigenous to the [[Ethiopia|Ethiopian]] region, and were introduced into Arabia and the rest of the East by the fourth century (Best 2006). In the mid-fifteenth century, the [[Sufi]]s of [[Yemen]] used coffee to stay awake during prayers. In the sixteenth century, there were coffee houses in Istanbul, Cairo, and Mecca, and in the mid-seventeenth century coffee houses opened in [[Europe]].  
  
In the 15th century by the [[sufism|Sufis]] of [[Yemen]], who used [[coffee]] to stay awake during prayers. In the 16th century there were [[coffee house]]s in [[Istanbul]], [[Cairo]] and [[Mecca]], and in 1573 coffee was introduced to the Europeans. Tea was introduced later in 1657 and became very popular.  Even later milk chocolate was introduced into Switzerland in 1876, near the end of  the 19th century cola products started to appear around the world. <ref>http://web1.caryacademy.org/chemistry/rushin/StudentProjects/CompoundWebSites/1998/Caffeine/history_of_caffeine.htm</ref>
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Tea has been consumed in [[China]] for thousands of years, where it has been purported to have been discovered by the Chinese emperor Shen Nung in 2737 <small>B.C.E.</small> Traditional stories tell that monks drank tea to stay awake during meditation practice.
  
In 1819, relatively pure caffeine was isolated for the first time by the [[Germany|German]] chemist [[Friedrich Ferdinand Runge]]. According to the legend, he did this at the instigation of [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]] (Weinberg & Bealer 2001).
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Guarana' and yerba mate' are plants indigenous to [[South America]] and it is presumed that the use of both of these plants by ancient peoples such as the Guarani tribesmen, from whom the guarana plant was named, started before any recorded history of this area.  
  
As of today, global consumption of caffeine has been estimated to be 120,000 tonnes per annum.<ref name="abc.net">http://www.abc.net.au/quantum/poison/caffeine/caffeine.htm</ref> This number equates to one serving of one caffeine oriented beverage per person on the planet per day.
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Cola nuts are indigenous to West Africa and have been chewed by local people possibly for thousands of years. Cola has been traded to other countries as a valuable commodity since probably before the fourteenth century. The nuts have been used as a stimulant by African [[Islam|Islamic]] people who use them instead of alcohol, which is forbidden.
  
==Production of caffeine==
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Cacao in the form of a [[chocolate]] beverage has been traced to the early [[Maya Civilization|Maya]] about 2,600 years ago. In 1519 [[Hernando Cortes]] entered [[Mexico]] and reported that cocoa was being consumed in large quantities by the [[Aztec Civilization|Aztec]] leader [[Montezuma]].
Caffeine can be consumed in several forms, though the highest percent of the drug comes in the form of coffee. Coffee comes in at 54% of total caffeine consumed and tea at 43% with the remainder coming mostly from chocolate products.
 
  
Caffeine’s production itself comes in several different forms. The oldest form of caffeine’s use comes from its homeland in Ethiopia where Ethiopians were known to mix crushed dried coffee beans with fat which they rolled into balls and used as food on journeys. During its spread into the Islamic sector, caffeine was usually used as a beverage made from infusing ground roasted beans. This was the same method and production that was later used in Europe.
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==Preparation of pure caffeine==
  
Because caffeine comes from a certain plant it needs a certain environment and temperature in which it grows the best. The main requirement for a good coffee plant is to have ample sunshine and rain; these types of conditions are only common in tropical or sub-tropical regions. As of today, the most dominant producer of coffee is Brazil, rich in tropical forests and having the large amounts of area on which the plant can be grown. Brazil is responsible for 28% of the total global production of coffee plants, Columbia is in second place at 16% and Indonesia finishes the top three at less than 7%. Total global production comes from over 70 different nations.<ref>http://www.alkenmrs.com/coffee/coffee-beans-producers.html</ref>
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In 1821 relatively pure caffeine was isolated for the first time by the German chemist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge. According to legend, he did this at the instigation of [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]] (Weinberg and Bealer 2001). He called this substance ''kafein'', which means "something found in coffee." Caffeine was not synthesized until 61 years later in 1882, by the German chemist and Nobel laureate Emil Fischer (Merck Index 2001).
  
==Caffeine's quantitative publication in food products==
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Purified caffeine powder can be synthesized from a variety of starting materials, such as urea, xanthine, theophylline, and theobromine. The high demand for decaffeinated products has resulted in an abundant supply of caffeine washes extracted from coffee and tea. The relative ease of purification of caffeine from these decaffeination liquids makes synthesis much more expensive by comparison. Today, most caffeine powder is derived from these natural extracts.
As of today, the soft drink corporations acknowledge caffeine’s similar effect on children and adults. It is also noted that there is a broad variation in the types of responses that people get. The soft drink corporations' main solution to the issue is to provide soda that is caffeine-free. The majority of soda producers and all of the major brands, provide sodas with either very low quantities or no caffeine at all as part of the ingredients.<ref name="soda-pop-dangers">http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/10/soda_pop_dangers.htm</ref>
 
  
This raises the question of how consumers can determine the caffeine content of a product. Right now, caffeine has to be listed under the ingredients of various foods if it is a part of the product. However, there is no regulation for the amount of caffeine that can be present in food; therefore, there is almost never any numerical information provided to answer that. It is also difficult to tell how much caffeine is in a product just by knowing that some caffeine is present.<ref name="soda-pop-dangers">http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/10/soda_pop_dangers.htm</ref>
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Caffeine extraction is an important industrial process and can be performed using a number of different solvents. Benzene, chloroform, trichloroethylene, and dichloromethane have all been used over the years, but for reasons of safety, environmental impact, cost and flavor, they have been superseded by two main methods: water and carbon dioxide.
  
There has been extensive research on caffeine and the drug’s effect on human bodies in regards to health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded in 1958 that caffeine is recognized as safe for consumption. A recent review claims to have found no signs or evidence that caffeine’s use in carbonated beverages would produce unhealthy effects on the consumer.
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In the water method, green coffee beans are soaked in water. The water extract, which contains not only caffeine but also many flavor compounds, is then passed through activated charcoal, which removes the caffeine. The water can then be put back with the beans and evaporated dry, leaving decaffeinated coffee with a good flavor. Coffee manufacturers recover the caffeine and resell it for use in soft drinks and medicines.
  
The American Medical Association (AMA) also views caffeine as being safe for consumption. They state that moderate coffee and tea drinkers probably don’t need to have concern for their health in regards to caffeine consumption.<ref>http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/caffeinebroch.cfm</ref>
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Supercritical [[carbon dioxide]] is a good solvent for caffeine extraction that is less toxic than the organic solvents that have been used in the past. The extraction process is simple: CO<sub>2</sub> is forced through the green coffee beans at temperatures above 31.1 °C and pressures above 73 atmospheres. Under these conditions, CO<sub>2</sub> is said to be in a "supercritical" state: it has gas-like properties which allow it to penetrate deep into the beans, but also liquid-like properties that dissolve 97-99 percent of the caffeine. The caffeine-laden CO<sub>2</sub> is then sprayed with high pressure water to remove the caffeine. The caffeine can then be isolated by activated carbon or by other standard methods.
  
 
==Effects of caffeine==
 
==Effects of caffeine==
[[Image:Caffeinated spiderwebs.jpg|frame|right|Caffeine has a significant effect on [[spider]]s, which is reflected in their [[spider web|web]] construction.]]
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[[Image:Caffeinated spiderwebs.jpg|frame|right|Caffeine has a significant effect on [[spider]]s, which is reflected in their web construction.]]
Caffeine is a [[central nervous system]] stimulant, and is used both recreationally and medically to restore mental alertness when unusual weakness or drowsiness occurs. Doses of 100-200 mg result in increased alertness and wakefulness, faster and clearer flow of thought, increased focus, and better general body coordination. It also results in restlessness, a loss of fine motor control, headaches, and dizziness.<ref>http://mass-spec.chem.cmu.edu/VMSL/Caffeine/Caffeine_effects.htm</ref> It is important to note, however, that caffeine cannot replace sleep, and should be used only occasionally as an alertness aid.
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Caffeine is a [[central nervous system]] stimulant, and is used to increase mental alertness when drowsiness occurs. It can produce faster flow of thought, improved focus, and better coordination.  
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The one physiological function that is most sensitive to caffeine is the sleep-wakefulness cycle, which is presumed to be controlled by the following brain areas: locus ceruleus, raphe nuclei, and the reticular formation. Caffeine will prolong the onset of sleep (latency) and shorten its duration.  
  
Caffeine is sometimes administered in combination with medicines to increase their effectiveness, such as with [[ergotamine]] in the treatment of [[migraine]] and [[cluster headaches]], or with certain pain relievers such as [[aspirin]] or [[acetaminophen]]. Caffeine may also be used to overcome the drowsiness caused by [[antihistamine]]s. Breathing problems ([[apnea]]) in [[premature]] infants are sometimes treated with [[citrate]]d caffeine, which is available only by [[prescription]] in many countries.
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Caffeine causes an increase in blood flow to the [[kidney]]s and an increase in the production of urine. It also decreases the tubular reabsorption of sodium and water, resulting in more dilute urine.  
  
While relatively safe for humans, caffeine is considerably more toxic to some other animals such as dogs, horses and parrots due to a much poorer ability to metabolize this compound. Caffeine has a much more significant effect on [[spiders]], for example, than most other drugs do. <ref>Noever, R., J. Cronise, and R. A. Relwani. [[1995]]. Using spider-web patterns to determine toxicity. NASA Tech Briefs 19(4):82. Published in [[New Scientist]] magazine, [[27 April]] 1995.</ref>
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In the [[brain]], caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict, but among the peripheral blood vessels, caffeine causes dilation. Caffeine causes a brief increase in the following: heart rate, cardiac output, and the force of contraction. At doses greater than 250 mg, it may cause extra beats, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and/or major ventricular arrhythmias (Drug Facts Comparisons 2001). Several studies have shown that caffeine causes increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as skin temperature in a definite dose-dependent relationship (Chawla et al. 2006).
  
===Caffeine metabolism===
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Caffeine stimulates skeletal muscle by increasing the strength of contraction and decreasing fatigue. It also stimulates the breakdown of [[glycogen]] and [[lipid]]s to enhance endurance.
Caffeine is completely absorbed by the stomach and small intestine within 45 minutes of ingestion. After ingestion, caffeine has a physiological half-life of three and a half to six hours.<ref>http://www.garynull.com/Documents/CaffeineEffects.htm</ref> It is widely distributed in total body water and is eliminated by apparent first-order kinetics that can be described by a one-compartment open-model system. Continued consumption of caffeine can lead to [[Drug tolerance|tolerance]]. Upon withdrawal, the body becomes oversensitive to [[adenosine]], causing the blood pressure to drop dramatically, which causes headaches and other symptoms.  
 
  
Caffeine is metabolized in the [[liver]] by the [[cytochrome P450 oxidase]] enzyme system into three [[metabolism|metabolic]] [[xanthine|dimethylxanthines]], which each have their own effects on the body:
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In subjects who have a limited history of caffeine use, this drug will cause an increase in plasma levels of [[epinephrine]] (adrenalin), norepinephrine (noradrenalin,) and renin, which activates the angiotensinogen/angiotensin cascade to increase blood pressure.
* [[Paraxanthine]] (84%) &ndash; Has the effect of increasing [[lipolysis]], leading to elevated [[glycerol]] and free [[fatty acid]] levels in the [[blood plasma]].
 
* [[Theobromine]] (12%) &ndash; Dilates [[blood vessel]]s and increases [[urine]] volume. Theobromine is also the principal alkaloid in [[cocoa]], and therefore [[chocolate]].
 
* [[Theophylline]] (4%) &ndash; Relaxes [[smooth muscle]]s of the [[bronchus|bronchi]], and is used to treat [[asthma]]. The therapeutic dose of theophylline, however, is many times greater than the levels attained from caffeine metabolism.
 
  
Each of these metabolites is further metabolised and then excreted in the urine.
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Caffeine causes an increase in turnover of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as acetylcholine and the monoamines (norepinephrine and domamine). It also potentates the effect of certain dopamine-releasing (dopaminergic) cells in the prefrontal cortex. However, unlike typical drugs of abuse, caffeine does not affect dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.
  
===Mechanism of action===
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Caffeine is sometimes administered in combination with analgesics to increase their effectiveness, such as with ergotamine in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches, or with certain pain relievers such as [[aspirin]] and [[acetaminophen]]. Caffeine may also be used to overcome the drowsiness caused by antihistamines. Cessation of breathing (apnea) in premature infants is sometimes treated with citrated caffeine, which is available only by prescription in many countries.
The caffeine molecule is structurally similar to [[adenosine]], and binds to adenosine receptors on the surface of cells without activating them (a "false transmitter" method of antagonism).  This may be relevant in its diuretic properties, since adenosine is known to constrict preferentially the afferent arterioles of the glomerular apparatus; inhibition may cause vasodilation, with an increase in renal blood flow ([[Renal blood flow|RBF]]) and glomerular filtration rate ([[Glomerular filtration rate|GFR]]). In the brain, adenosine binding also causes blood vessels to dilate (presumably to let more oxygen in during sleep).<ref>http://home.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm</ref> This effect, called [[competitive inhibition]], interrupts a pathway that normally serves to regulate nerve conduction by suppressing post-synaptic potentials. The result is an increase in the levels of [[epinephrine]] or adrenaline and [[norepinephrine]] released via the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]]<ref>http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/51/1/83</ref> Epinephrine, the natural [[endocrine system|endocrine]] response to a perceived threat, stimulates the [[sympathetic nervous system]], leading to an increased heart rate, [[blood pressure]] and [[blood]] flow to [[muscle]]s, a decreased blood flow to the [[skin]] and inner [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]]s and a release of [[glucose]] by the [[liver]].
 
  
Caffeine is also a known competitive inhibitor of the enzyme [[phosphodiesterase|cAMP-phosphodiesterase]] (cAMP-PDE), which converts [[cAMP|cyclic AMP]] (cAMP) in cells to its noncyclic form, allowing cAMP to build up in cells. Cyclic AMP participates in the messaging cascade produced by cells in response to stimulation by epinephrine, so by blocking its removal caffeine intensifies and prolongs the effects of [[epinephrine]] and epinephrine-like drugs such as [[amphetamine]], [[methamphetamine]], or [[methylphenidate]].
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When taken in excess, caffeine use has been correlated to nervousness, insomnia, jitteriness, and reduced depth of sleep (Hoeger, Turner and Hafen 2002). Long term effects of prolonged repeated use can include risk of stomach ulcers, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms (headache, irritability, tiredness) (Hoeger, Turner, and Hafen 2002).  
  
The metabolites of caffeine contribute to caffeine's effects. [[Theobromine]] is a [[vasodilation|vasodilator]] that increases the amount of oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain and muscles. [[Theophylline]], the second of the three primary metabolites, acts as a smooth [[muscle relaxant]] that chiefly affects [[bronchioles]] and acts as a [[chronotropic|chronotrope]] and [[inotrope]] that increases heart rate and efficiency. The third metabolic derivative, [[paraxanthine]], is responsible for an increase in the [[lipolysis]] process, which releases [[glycerol]] and [[fatty acids]] into the blood to be used as a source of fuel by the muscles (Dews et al. 1984).
+
While relatively safe for adult humans, caffeine is considerably more toxic to some other animals such as [[dog]]s, [[horse]]s and [[parrot]]s due to a much poorer ability to [[metabolism|metabolize]] this compound. Caffeine has a much more significant effect on [[spider]]s, for example, than most other drugs do (Noever, et al. 1995)
  
With these effects, caffeine is considered an [[ergogenic]]: increasing the capacity for mental or physical labor. A study conducted in [[1979]] showed a 7% increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control tests (Ivy et al. 1979). Other studies attained much more dramatic results; one particular study of trained runners showed a 44% increase in "race-pace" endurance, as well as a 51% increase in cycling endurance, after a dosage of 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (Graham & Spriet 1991). The extensive boost shown in the runners is not an isolated case; additional studies have reported similar effects. Another study found 5.5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body mass resulted in subjects cycling 29% longer during high intensity circuits (Trice & Hayes 1995).
+
===Effects on fetuses and newborn children===
 +
There is some evidence that caffeine may be dangerous for fetuses and newborn children. In a 1985 study conducted by scientists of Carleton University, children born by mothers who had consumed more than 300 mg per day of caffeine were found to have, on the average, lower birth weight and head circumference than the children of mothers who had consumed little or no caffeine. In addition, use of large amounts of caffeine by the mother during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm of the fetus. For these reasons, some doctors recommend that a woman largely discontinue caffeine consumption during pregnancy and possibly also after birth until the newborn child is weaned.
  
=== Side effects of caffeine ===
+
The negative effects of caffeine on the developing fetus can be attributed to the ability of caffeine to inhibit two DNA damage response [[protein]]s known as Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) or ATM-Rad50 Related (ATR). These proteins control much of the cells' ability to stop the cell cycle in the presence of [[DNA]] damage, such as DNA single/double strand breaks and nucleotide dimerization. DNA damage can occur relatively frequently in actively dividing cells, such as those in the developing fetus. Caffeine is used in laboratory setting as an inhibitor to these proteins and it has been shown in a study (Lawson et al. 2004) that women who use caffeine during pregnancy have a higher likelihood of miscarriage than those who do not. Since the dosage rate of self-administration is difficult to control and the effects of caffeine on the fetus are related to random occurrence (DNA damage), a minimal toxic dose to the fetus has yet to be established.
The minimum lethal dose of caffeine ever reported is 3,200 mg, administered intravenously. The [[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]] of caffeine is estimated between 13 and 19 grams for oral administration for an average adult. The LD<sub>50</sub> of caffeine is dependent on weight and individual sensitivity and estimated to be about 150 to 200 mg per kg of body mass, roughly 140 to 180 cups of coffee for an average adult taken within a limited timeframe that is dependent on [[Biological halflife|half-life]]. The half-life, or time it takes for the amount of caffeine in the blood to decrease by 50%, ranges from 3.5 to 10 hours. In adults the half-life is generally around 5 hours. However, contraceptive pills increase this to around 12 hours, and, for women over 3 months pregnant, it varies from 10 to 18 hours. In infants and young children, the half-life may be longer than in adults. With common coffee and a very rare half-life of 100 hours, it would require 3 cups of coffee every hour for 100 hours just to reach LD<sub>50</sub>. Though achieving lethal dose with coffee would be exceptionally difficult, there have been many reported deaths from intentional overdosing on caffeine pills.
 
  
Too much caffeine, especially over an extended period of time, can lead to a number of physical and mental conditions. The ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition ([[DSM-IV]])'' states: "The 4 caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include ''caffeine intoxication'', ''caffeine-induced anxiety disorder'', ''caffeine-induced sleep disorder'', and ''caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)''."
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===Caffeine's toxicity to humans===
  
An overdose of caffeine can result in a state termed ''caffeine intoxication'' or ''caffeine poisoning''. Its symptoms are both physiological and psychological. Symptoms of caffeine intoxication include: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, [[insomnia]], flushed face, [[diuresis]], [[muscle twitching]], rambling flow of [[thought]] and [[speech]], paranoia, [[cardiac arrhythmia]] or [[tachycardia]], and [[psychomotor agitation]], [[gastroenterology|gastrointestinal]] complaints, [[hypertension|increased blood pressure]], [[tachycardia|rapid pulse]], [[vasoconstriction]] (tightening or constricting of superficial blood vessels) sometimes resulting in cold hands or fingers, increased amounts of [[fatty acid]]s in the blood, and an increased production of [[gastric acid]]. In extreme cases [[mania]], [[depression (mood)|depression]], lapses in judgment, [[disorientation]], loss of social inhibition, [[delusions]], [[hallucinations]] and [[psychosis]] may occur.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002579.htm</ref>
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There has been extensive research on caffeine and this drug’s effect on the health of [[human being]]s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded in 1958 that caffeine is recognized as safe for consumption. A recent review claims to have found no signs or evidence that caffeine’s use in carbonated beverages would produce unhealthy effects on the consumer.
  
It is commonly assumed that only a small proportion of people exposed to caffeine develop symptoms of caffeine intoxication. However, because it mimics organic mental disorders, such as [[panic disorder]], [[generalized anxiety disorder]], [[bipolar disorder]], and [[schizophrenia]], a growing number of medical professionals believe caffeine-intoxicated people are routinely misdiagnosed and unnecessarily medicated. Shannon ''et al'' (1998) point out that:
+
The American Medical Association (AMA) views caffeine as being safe for consumption. They state that those drinking moderate amounts of coffee and tea probably do not need to have concern for their health in regards to caffeine consumption (IFIC 2998).
  
:"Caffeine-induced psychosis, whether it be delirium, manic depression, schizophrenia, or merely an anxiety syndrome, in most cases will be hard to differentiate from other organic or non-organic psychoses....The treatment for caffeine-induced psychosis is to withhold further caffeine." A study in the ''British Journal of Addiction'' declared that "although infrequently diagnosed, caffeinism is thought to afflict as many as one person in ten of the population" (JE James and KP Stirling, 1983).  
+
The minimum amount of caffeine needed to cause death to human beings is estimated to be 150-200 mg/kg of body weight. Symptoms of acute toxicity, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and possibly seizures (Sauer 1994) may be observed after taking sublethal doses of caffeine. There have been some deaths from intentional overdosing on caffeine pills.  
  
Because caffeine increases the production of stomach acid, high usage over time can lead to [[peptic ulcer]]s, erosive [[esophagitis]], and [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]].{{citeneeded}} Furthermore, it can also lead to nervousness, irritability, anxiety, [[Tremor|tremulousness]], muscle twitching, [[insomnia]], [[heart palpitation]]s and [[hyperreflexia]].<ref>http://www.coffeefaq.com/caffaq.html#CaffeineAndHealth</ref>
+
Too much caffeine, especially over an extended period of time, can lead to a number of physical and mental conditions. The ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)'' states: "The four caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include ''caffeine intoxication'', ''caffeine-induced anxiety disorder'', ''caffeine-induced sleep disorder'', and ''caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)''."
  
It is suggested that "slow metabolizers" who carry a variant of polymorphic [[Cytochrome P450 oxidase|cytochrome P450]] 1A2 (CYP1A2) enzyme have an increased risk of nonfatal [[myocardial infarction]] (see references).
+
An overdose of caffeine can result in a state termed ''caffeine intoxication'' or ''caffeine poisoning''. Its symptoms are both [[physiology|physiological]] and [[Psychology|psychological]]. Symptoms of caffeine intoxication include: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, muscle twitching, rambling, cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, and psychomotor agitation, gastrointestinal complaints, increased blood pressure, constricting of superficial blood vessels, sometimes resulting in cold hands or fingers, increased amounts of [[fatty acid]]s in the blood, and an increased production of gastric acid. In extreme cases mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, loss of social inhibition, delusions, hallucinations and psychosis may occur (Medline Plus 2006).  
  
=== Withdrawal ===
+
It is commonly assumed that only a small proportion of people exposed to caffeine develop symptoms of caffeine intoxication. However, because it mimics organic mental disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, a growing number of medical professionals believe caffeine-intoxicated people are routinely misdiagnosed and unnecessarily medicated. Shannon et al. (1998) point out that:
Individuals who consume caffeine regularly develop a reduction in sensitivity to caffeine; when such individuals reduce their caffeine intake, their body becomes oversensitive to [[adenosine]], with the result that blood pressure drops dramatically, leading to an excess of blood in the head (though not necessarily on the brain), causing a [[headache]]. Other symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety and irritability; in extreme cases symptoms may include [[depression]], inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks at home or at work.  
 
  
[[Withdrawal]] symptoms may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually lasts from one to five days. [[Analgesic]]s, such as [[aspirin]], can relieve the pain symptoms, as can a small dose of caffeine.
+
<blockquote>Caffeine-induced psychosis, whether it be delirium, manic depression, schizophrenia, or merely an anxiety syndrome, in most cases will be hard to differentiate from other organic or non-organic psychoses....The treatment for caffeine-induced psychosis is to withhold further caffeine."
  
Currently caffeine withdrawal is recognized as meriting further study by the DSM-IV, although recent research demonstrating its clinical significance means that it will likely be included as an Axis-1 disorder in the DSM-V <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/30/health/webmd/main646620.shtml</ref>
+
One study declared that "although infrequently diagnosed, caffeinism is thought to afflict as many as one person in ten of the population" (James and Stirling 1983).</blockquote>
  
===Effects on fetuses and newborn children===
+
Caffeine increases the production of stomach acid and tends to relax the gastro-esophageal sphincter (''Drug Facts and Comparisons'' 2001), which controls the passage of materials between the stomach and esophagus. High intake of caffeine over time can lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
There is some evidence that caffeine may be dangerous for fetuses and newborn children. In animal studies, caffeine intake during pregnancy has been demonstrated to have [[teratogenic]] effects and increase the risk of learning problems and hyperactivity in [[rat]]s and [[mouse|mice]], respectively. The applicability of these results to human infants is disputed since the concentrations involved were high and [[rodent]]s are more susceptible to most mutagens. In a [[1985]] study conducted by scientists of [[Carleton University]], [[Canada]], children born by mothers who had consumed more than 300 mg/d caffeine (about 3 cups of coffee or 6 cups of tea) were found to have, on the average, lower birth weight and head circumference than the children of mothers who had consumed little or no caffeine. In addition, use of large amounts of caffeine by the mother during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm of the fetus. For these reasons, some doctors recommend that women largely discontinue caffeine consumption during pregnancy and possibly also after birth until the newborn child is weaned.
+
 
 +
It is suggested that "slow metabolizers" who carry a variant of the enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) have an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction.
 +
 
 +
===Tolerance and withdrawal===
 +
Tolerance to caffeine occurs when individuals require higher doses to achieve the same level of stimulation. This effect can be demonstrated for blood pressure, [[heart]] rate, and the diuretic effect as well as an effect on the levels of renin, [[epinephrine]], and norepinephrine. Tolerance is apparent usually after only a few days. Tolerance has also been demonstrated for certain subjective effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. However, the existence of caffeine tolerance on the levels of alertness and the sleep cycle has been difficult to measure.
 +
 
 +
When daily caffeine consumption is stopped, then a state of withdrawal begins. The symptoms may include headache, nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, and irritability; in extreme cases symptoms may include depression, inability to concentrate, and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks at home or at work.
 +
 
 +
Withdrawal symptoms typically appear within 12 to 24 hours after stopping caffeine intake; then peak at 20 to 48 hours, and then last from one to five days. In extreme cases, withdrawal can begin in 3 to 6 hours and last for one week. Analgesics, such as [[aspirin]], can relieve the pain symptoms.
 +
 +
Currently, caffeine withdrawal is recognized as meriting further study by the DSM-IV and possible inclusion in the diagnostic list of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
 +
 
 +
==Caffeine metabolism==
 +
 
 +
Caffeine is easily absorbed when taken orally, with 99 percent absorption occurring within 15-120 minutes. A dose of 250 mg produces a peak plasma level of 5-25 micrograms per milliliter (ml). In order for caffeine to be effective, it must reach a plasma level of 6-13 micrograms/ml (''Drug Facts and Comparisons'' 2001). After ingestion, caffeine has a physiological half-life in adults of three to seven hours, with much longer values in neonates and pregnant women (PharmGKB 2004). It is rapidly distributed to all body compartments and crosses the placenta and blood-brain barrier. Small amounts will also enter breast milk.
  
The negative effects of caffeine on the developing fetus can be attributed to the ability of caffeine to inhibit two DNA damage response proteins known as Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) or ATM-Rad50 Related (ATR). These proteins control much of the cells' ability to stop cell cycle in the presence of DNA damage, such as DNA single/double strand breaks and nucleotide dimerization. DNA damage can occur relatively frequently in actively dividing cells, such as those in the developing fetus. Caffeine is used in laboratory setting as an inhibitor to these proteins and it has been shown in a study by Lawson et al. in 2004, that women who use caffeine during pregnancy have a higher likelihood of miscarriage than those who do not. Since the dosage rate of self-administration is difficult to control and the effects of caffeine on the fetus are related to random occurrence (DNA damage), a minimal toxic dose to the fetus has yet to be established.
+
Continued consumption of caffeine can lead to drug tolerance. Upon withdrawal, the body becomes oversensitive to [[adenosine]], causing the blood pressure to drop dramatically, which leads to headaches and other symptoms.  
  
== Caffeine pills ==
+
Caffeine is metabolized in the [[liver]], through demethylation and oxidation, by a cytochrome P450 enzyme system known as 1A2 or CYP1A2. In the first stage it forms three dimethylxanthines:
<!-- Section needs work, or even total elimination if it cannot be improved —>
 
Caffeine pills are often used by college students and [[Shift work|shift]] workers as a convenient way to fight sleep, and are often considered harmless. However, like any medication, caffeine can be harmful or deadly in [[#Side effects of caffeine|sufficient quantities]]. Due to the [[#Caffeine equivalents|amount]] of caffeine present in standard pills, it is possible to consume a dangerous amount of caffeine in this form.
 
  
Periodically, caffeine pills come under media fire in connection with the death of a college student due to a large [[overdose]] of caffeine. One example is the death of a [[North Carolina]] student, Jason Allen, who swallowed most of a bottle of 90 such pills<ref>http://www.collegepublisher.com/media/paper87/DFPArchive/science/1103981.html</ref>, equivalent to about 250 cups of [[coffee]]. A few other deaths by caffeine overdose have been known, almost always in the case of excessive pill consumption.
+
* 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) at 80-84 percent
 +
* 3,7-dimethylxanthine (theobromine)at 10-12 percent
 +
* 1,3-dimethylxanthine (theophylline)at 4 percent
  
==Extraction of pure caffeine==
+
Each of these metabolites is further metabolized and then excreted in the urine, primarily as methylated urates and methylated xanthines. About one percent of caffeine enters the urine unchanged.
[[Image: Caffeine_USP.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Anhydrous]] (dry) [[United States Pharmacopoeia|USP]] grade Caffeine]]
 
It is very difficult to know the exact amount of caffeine in a particular drink that is not automatically prepared. The amount of caffeine in a single serving of coffee varies considerably due to many variables. Concentration can vary from bean to bean within a given bush; preparation of the raw bean will affect concentration, as well as multiple variables involved in brewing.
 
  
Caffeine extraction is an important industrial process and can be performed using a number of different solvents. [[Benzene]], [[chloroform]], [[trichloroethylene]] and [[dichloromethane]] have all been used over the years but for reasons of safety, environmental impact, cost and flavour, they have been superseded by two main methods:
+
==Mechanism of action==
  
===Water extraction of caffeine===
+
It is believed that the main action of caffeine is to block adenosine receptors (A<sub>1</sub> and A<sub>2a</sub>) on the surfaces of cells within the CNS. Adenosine is composed of adenine plus ribose, a five [[carbon]] sugar. Since the caffeine molecule is structurally similar to [[adenine]], it is able to bind to adenosine receptors without activating them and thus prevent their activation by adenosine. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that modifies the release of neurotransmitters from nerve cells. When caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, the cells act as if the receptor is empty. This blocking of receptors has important secondary effects on many types of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, gamma amino butyric acid, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Caffeine has also been shown to affect the turnover of several neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine (Fredholm 1999).
Coffee beans are soaked in water. The water—which contains not only caffeine but also many other compounds which contribute to the flavour of coffee—is then passed through [[activated charcoal]], which removes the caffeine. The water can then be put back with the beans and evaporated dry, leaving decaffeinated coffee with a good flavor. Coffee manufacturers recover the caffeine and resell it for use in soft drinks and medicines.
 
  
===Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of caffeine===
+
It has been reported that caffeine acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase. However, the levels of caffeine in [[blood]] required to produce an increase in blood pressure are well below those required for inhibition of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (Chawla, et al. 2006). Therefore inhibition of this [[enzyme]] can not explain caffeine's therapeutic effects.
[[Supercritical carbon dioxide]] is an excellent nonpolar solvent for caffeine (as well as many other organic compounds) but is safer than the organic solvents that are used for caffeine extraction. The extraction process is simple: CO<sub>2</sub> is forced through the green coffee beans at temperatures above 31.1°C and pressures above 73 [[Atmosphere (unit)|atm]]. Under these conditions, CO<sub>2</sub> is said to be in a "[[Supercritical fluid|supercritical]]" [[Phase (matter)|state]]: it has gaslike properties which allow it to penetrate deep into the beans but also liquid-like properties which dissolve 97-99% of the caffeine. The caffeine-laden CO<sub>2</sub> is then sprayed with high pressure water to remove the caffeine. The caffeine can then be isolated by [[Activated carbon|charcoal adsorption]] (as above) or by [[distillation]], [[recrystallization]], or [[reverse osmosis]].
 
  
==References==
+
The metabolites of caffeine may contribute to caffeine's effects. Theobromine dilates the blood vessels which increases the flow of blood and thus leads to an increase in the amount of [[oxygen]] and nutrient flow to the [[brain]] and [[muscle]]s. Theophylline acts as a smooth muscle relaxant that chiefly affects the bronchioles and also acts to increase heart rate and efficiency. Paraxanthine or 1,7-dimethylxanthine, is responsible for the breakdown of triglycerides, which results in an increase in the release of [[glycerol]] and [[fatty acid]]s into the blood (Dews et al. 1984).
<references />
 
* Weinberg BA, Bealer BK. ''The world of caffeine''. New York & London: Routledge, 2001. ISBN 0-415-92722-6.
 
* JE James and KP Stirling, "Caffeine: A Summary of Some of the Known and Suspected Deleterious Habits of Habitual Use," ''British Journal of Addiction,'' 1983;78:251-58.
 
* Hughes JR, McHugh P, Holtzman S. "Caffeine and schizophrenia." ''Psychiatr Serv'' 1998;49:1415-7. [http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/49/11/1415 Fulltext]. PMID 9826240.
 
* Shannon MW, Haddad LM, Winchester JF. ''Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 3rd ed.''. 1998. ISBN 0721664091.
 
* ''[[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]]'' ISBN 0890420610
 
* Trice, I., and Haymes, E. (1995). "Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise-induced changes during high intensity, intermittent exercise". International Journal of Sports Nutrition. 37-44.
 
* Tarnopolsky, M. A. (1994). "Caffeine and endurance performances". Sports Medicine (Vol. 18 Ed. 2): 109 – 125.
 
* Ivy, J., Costill, D., Fink, W. et al. (1979). "Influence of caffeine and carbohydrate feedings on endurance performance". Medical Science Sports Journal (Vol. 11). 6-11.
 
* Dews, P.B. (1984). "Caffeine: Perspectives from Recent Research". Berlin: Springer-Valerag.
 
* Cornelis MC, El-Sohemy A, Kabagambe EK, Campos H. ''Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype, and risk of myocardial infarction'' JAMA. 2006 Mar 8;295(10):1135-41 PMID 16522833
 
  
==External links==
+
Caffeine increases the capacity for physical labor. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7 percent increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control tests (Ivy, et al. 1979). Another study of trained runners showed a 44 percent increase in "race-pace" endurance, as well as a 51 percent increase in cycling endurance, after a dosage of 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (Graham and Spriet 1991). Another group found that consumption of 5.5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body mass resulted in subjects cycling 29 percent longer during high intensity circuits (Trice and Hayes 1995).
{{Wiktionary}}
 
*[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202105.html US National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus® Drug Information: Caffeine]
 
*[http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculescompounds/a/caffeine.htm ''Caffeine Chemistry'']
 
*[http://www.thenakedscientists.com/html/columnists/dalyacolumn2.htm Why do plants make caffeine?]
 
*[http://www.benbest.com/health/caffeine.html Is Caffeine a Health Hazard?]
 
*[http://www.coffeefaq.com/caffaq.html The Caffeine FAQ]
 
*''The Physician and Sportsmedicine'' (Vol 25 - No. 11 - November 97) [http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1997/11nov/caffeine.htm Caffeine: A User's Guide]
 
*[[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] (CSPI) article [http://www.cspinet.org/nah/caffeine.htm Caffeine: The Inside Scoop]
 
*CSPI article [http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm Caffeine Content of Foods]
 
*[http://www.cannabis.net/weblife.html Images of webs spun by spiders after eating flies laced with LSD, mescaline, hashish and caffeine]
 
*[http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database/ The Caffeine Database]
 
*[http://mass-spec.chem.cmu.edu/VMSL/Caffeine/Caffeine_effects.htm Mass Spectrometry - Caffeine Effects]
 
*[http://www.garynull.com/Documents/CaffeineEffects.htm Caffeine: Psychological Effects, Use & Abuse]
 
*[http://home.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm Caffeine: How Stuff Works]
 
*[http://www.welsch.com/e/index.php?chap=6_1&modulekey=wpmoleculeviewer&specialmol=58-08-2 Caffeine 3D view and pdb-file]
 
*[http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/caffeine/caffeine.shtml Erowid Vaults]
 
  
 +
==References==
  
===Caffeine toxicity===
+
* American Psychiatric Association. 1994. ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'' American Psychiatric Press. ISBN 0890420610
* [http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.html#intoxication Johns Hopkins University Caffeine Dependence Study]
+
* Best, B. 2006. [http://www.benbest.com/health/caffeine.html ''Is Caffeine a Health Hazard?'']. (Accessed August 25, 2006)
* [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3115.htm eMedicine Caffeine-Related Psychiatric Disorders]
+
* Casal, S., M. B. P. P. Oliveira, M. R. Alves, and M. A. Ferreira. 2000. “Discriminate analysis of roasted coffee varieties for trigonelline, nicotinic acid and caffeine content.” ''Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry'' 48: 3420-3424.
* [http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/CU21.html The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs, Caffeine-Part 1] [http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/CU22.html Part 2]
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* Chawla, J., A. Suleman, and N. Lorenzo. 2006. (http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic666.htm ''Neurologic effects of caffeine'').
* L Tondo and N Rudas, "The course of a seasonal bipolar disorder influenced by caffeine," ''Journal of Affective Disorders,'' 1991;22 (4):249-251 [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1939933&dopt=Abstract Abstract]
+
* Coca-Cola Company. 2006. [http://www2.coca-cola.com/ourcompany/al_facts_caffeine.html ''Facts on Caffeine and Soft Drinks'']. (Accessed August 26, 2006)
* DC Mackay and JW Rollins, "Caffeine and caffeinism," ''Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service,'' 1989;75(2):65-7. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2607498&dopt=Abstract Abstract]
+
* Cornelis, M. C., A. El-Sohemy, E. K. Kabagambe, and H. Campos. 2006. “Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype, and risk of myocardial infarction.” ''Journal of the American Medical Association'' 295 (10): 1135-41. PMID 16522833
* K Gilliland and D Andress, "Ad lib caffeine consumption, symptoms of caffeinism, and academic performance," ''American Journal of Psychiatry,'' 1981; 138:512-514 [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/4/512 Abstract]
+
* Dews, P. B. 1984. ''Caffeine: Perspectives from Recent Research''. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
* American Psychiatric Association, 158th annual meeting. Abstract #NR45. "First Graders' Behavior Problems Linked to Caffeinated Cola." [http://www.medpagetoday.com/tbindex.cfm?tbid=1091&topicid=43 Fulltext]
+
* ''Drug Facts and Comparisons'', 2001. Facts and Comparisons. ISBN 1574390732
* Whalen R, "Caffeine-Induced Anaphylaxis, A Progressive Toxic Dementia" [http://www.doctoryourself.com/caffeine2.html Fulltext]
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* Fredholm, B. B., K. Bättig, J. Holmén, A. Nehlig, and E. E. Zvartau. 1999. [http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/51/1/83 “Actions of caffeine in the brain with special reference to factors that contribute to its widespread use.”] ''Pharmacological Reviews'' 51 (1): 83-133.
* JA Sours, "Case reports of anorexia nervosa and caffeinism," ''American Journal of Psychiatry,'' 1983; 140:235-236 [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/2/235 Abstract]
+
* Gilliland, K., and D. Andress. 1981. “Ad lib caffeine consumption, symptoms of caffeinism, and academic performance.” ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' 138: 512-514. [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/4/512 Abstract]
 +
* Graham, T. E., and L. L. Spriet. 1991. “Performance and metabolic responses to a high caffeine dose during prolonged exercise.” ''Journal of Applied Physiology'' 71: 2292-2298.
 +
* Hill,A. F. 1952. ''Economic Botany'', second edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.
 +
* Hoeger, W., L. Turner, B. Hafen. 2001. ''Wellness: Guidelines for a Healthy Lifestyle'' 3rd ed. Brooks Cole. ISBN 0534589235
 +
* Hughes, J. R., P. McHugh, and S. Holtzman. 1998. “Caffeine and schizophrenia.” ''Psychiatr Serv'' 49: 1415-1417. [http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/49/11/1415 Full text]. PMID 9826240
 +
* International Food Information Council (IFIC). 1998. [http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/caffeinebroch.cfm ''Everything You Need to Know About Caffeine''.] (Accessed August 26, 2006)
 +
* Ivy, J., D. Costill, W. Fink, et al. 1979. “Influence of caffeine and carbohydrate feedings on endurance performance.” ''Medical Science Sports Journal'' 11: 6-11.
 +
* James, J. E., and K. P. Stirling. 1983. “Caffeine: A summary of some of the known and suspected deleterious habits of habitual use.” ''British Journal of Addiction'' 78: 251-58.
 +
* Khokhar, S., and S. G. M. Magnusdottir. 2002. “Total phenol, catechin, and caffeine contents of teas commonly consumed in the United Kingdom.” ''Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry'' 50: 565-570.
 +
* Koppelstaetter, F., C. Siedentopf, T. Poeppel, I. Haala, A. Ischebeck, F. Mottaghy, et. al. 2005. ''Influence of Caffeine Excess on Activation Patterns in Verbal Working Memory''. Presentation on December 1, 2005 at the conference. RSNA 2005.
 +
* Mackay, D. C., and J. W. Rollins. 1989. “Caffeine and caffeinism.” ''Journal of the Royal Naval Medical Service'' 75 (2): 65-7. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2607498&dopt=Abstract Abstract]
 +
* Medline Plus. 2006. [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002579.htm ''Caffeine Overdose''.] (Accessed August 26, 2006).
 +
* Noever, R., J. Cronise, and R. A. Relwani. 1995. “Using spider-web patterns to determine toxicity.” ''NASA Tech Briefs'' 19 (4): 82.
 +
* Pepsi-Cola Company. 2005. [http://www.pepsi.com/pepsi_brands/ingredient_facts/index.php ''Because You Asked''.] (Accessed August 26, 2006)
 +
* Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB). 2004. [http://www.pharmgkb.org/do/serve?objId=464&objCls=DrugProperties ''Caffeine.''] (Accessed August 25, 2006).
 +
* PhytoMedical Technologies. 2006. [http://www.phytomedical.com/plant/caffeine.asp ''Caffeine'']. (accessed August 26, 2006).  
 +
* Radiology Society of North America (RSNA). 2005. [http://www.rsna.org/rsna/media/pr2005/Coffee.cfm ''Coffee Jump-Starts Short-term Memory''.] (Accessed August 26, 2006)
 +
* Raintree Nutrition. 2006 [http://www.rain-tree.com/guarana.htm ''Tropical Plant Database:Guarana''.] (Accessed August 26, 2006)
 +
* Sauer, A. H. 1994. “Caffeine.” ''Clinical Toxicology Review'' 17 (2).
 +
* Shannon, M. W., L. M. Haddad, and J. F. Winchester. 1998. ''Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 3rd ed.''. ISBN 0721664091
 +
*Sours, J. A. 1983. “Case reports of anorexia nervosa and caffeinism.” ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' 140: 235-236. [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/2/235 Abstract]
 +
* Tarnopolsky, M. A. 1994. “Caffeine and endurance performances.” ''Sports Medicine'' 18 (2): 109 – 125.
 +
* Tondo, L. and N. Rudas. 1991. “The course of a seasonal bipolar disorder influenced by caffeine.” ''Journal of Affective Disorders'' 22 (4): 249-251.
 +
* Trice, I., and E. Haymes. 1995. “Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise-induced changes during high intensity, intermittent exercise.” ''International Journal of Sports Nutrition'' 37-44.
 +
* Weinberg, B. A., and B. K. Bealer. 2001. ''The world of caffeine''. New York & London: Routledge. ISBN 0415927226
  
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[[Category:Drugs]]

Latest revision as of 09:39, 22 April 2023


Caffeine
Caffeine Caffeine
General
IUPAC nomenclature 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione
Other names 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine
trimethylxanthine
theine
mateine
guaranine
methyltheobromine
Molecular formula C8H10N4O2
SMILES O=C1C2=C(N=CN2C)N(C(=O)N1C)C
Molar mass 194.19 g/mol
Appearance Odorless, white needles or powder
CAS number [58-08-2]
Properties
Density and phase 1.2 g/cm3, solid
Solubility in water Slightly soluble
Melting point 237 °C
Boiling point 178 °C (sublimes)
Acidity (pKa) 10.4
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
Main hazards May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed
or absorbed through the skin.
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

1
2
0
 
Flash point N/A
RTECS number EV6475000
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
|-

Caffeine is a chemical compound that is made by plants. Caffeine is classified as a methylxanthine alkaloid. It is a central nervous system stimulant. In its pure form, it is a white powder that is odorless with a slightly bitter taste.

At present there are 63 different species of plants known to contain caffeine (Phytomedical Technologies 2006). Historically, the most common food sources of caffeine in the human diet have been coffee (from the coffee plant, Coffea sp.), tea (from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis), and chocolate (from the cacao plant, Theobroma cacao).

Some less common sources of caffeine are cassine (Ilex vomitoria), yoco (Paullinia yoco), mate' (from yerba mate, Ilex paraguariensis), and guaraná (Paullinia cupana) (Hill 1952). Today, beverages containing added caffeine—such as colas and energy drinks—enjoy popularity great enough to make caffeine the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Global consumption of caffeine is estimated to be 76 milligrams (mg) per person per day. In the United States, the average is 238 mg per person per day (RSNA 2005).

Because of its stimulant quality, many people consider caffeine to have a beneficial impact on their lives, including greater mental alertness, faster flow of thought, improved focus, and better coordination. It has even been used by the Sufis as a spiritual aid, to help with their prayers. However, if caffeine is to be consumed, self-discipline and moderation are also required. While this drug has been considered safe if used in moderate amounts, overconsumption has been tied to such deleterious symptoms as nervousness, insomnia, and jitteriness, and long-term effects of prolonged, repeated use can include risk of stomach ulcers, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms (such as headache, irritability, tiredness, and depression).

In nature, caffeine is found in varying concentrations along with other xanthine alkaloids such as theophylline and theobromine, which are also stimulants.

Sources of caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world

The world's primary source of caffeine is the coffee bean (the seed of the coffee plant), from which coffee is brewed. There are many species of the genus Coffea whose caffeine content varies widely. There are many factors affecting the caffeine content of a cup of coffee including the type of bean, the roasting method, and the method of preparation used, but in general, one 8 oz. serving of coffee has about 100 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Darker roasts of coffee have less caffeine than lighter roasts, since the roasting process reduces the caffeine content of the bean. Arabica coffee beans average 24 mg/gram (g) of caffeine whereas the Robusta variety averages 13 mg/g (Casal et al. 2000).

Tea, another common source of caffeine, is produced by brewing leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), which has hundreds of varieties. The amount of oxidation that the plucked leaf undergoes determines whether it is classified as white, green, oolong, or black; where white has the least amount of oxidation of the leaf and black tea has the most. More oxidation results in higher levels of caffeine. In black tea, caffeine was found to be 25 mg/g of tea leaf, whereas in green tea the caffeine level was 15 mg/g of leaf (Khokhar et al. 2002).

Guarana beverages are made from the seeds of the plant Paullinia cupana that have been roasted, ground to a paste, and dissolved in water. This paste is also used to make medicines or to flavor foods. Guarana seeds contain larger amounts of caffeine than do coffee beans, with reported levels as high as 80 mg per gram of seed (Raintree Nutrition 2006)

Often considered one of the most delicious sources of caffeine is chocolate. This is obtained from the seeds of the cacao plant, Theobroma cacao. These seeds are processed to make cocoa, chocolate, and cocoa butter. Cacao seeds have only a small amount of caffeine, with 2.5 mg/g. A typical serving of a milk chocolate bar (28 g) has about 20 mg of caffeine.

Cola (kola) nuts are a natural source of caffeine that were once used as the sole source of caffeine in the first Coca-Cola beverages. There are about 40 species of the cola plant, with Cola nitida, and C.acuminata being the most common commercial species. Cola nuts contain up to 25 mg of caffeine per gram.

Yerba mate' (Ilex paraguensis) is a tree that grows in South America; its leaves are used to make a caffeine-containing tea. The flavor and aroma of the leaves of the wild trees are considered by some to be much better than the cultivated ones. The level of caffeine in the leaves is about 20 mg/g.

Most modern soft drinks that contain caffeine rely on purified caffeine as the sole source. Some sports or energy drinks have very high levels of this stimulant. Red Bull has about 100 mg of caffeine per serving. Soft drinks like Coca-Cola contain 23 mg per 8oz (Coca Cola 2006) and Pepsi One contains 36 mg per 8oz (Pepsi 2005). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows caffeine to be added to cola-type beverages up to 0.02 percent and it must appear on the label as an ingredient. The European Union requires that a warning be placed on the packaging of any food whose caffeine content exceeds 150 mg per liter.

History of caffeine use

Coffee plants are probably indigenous to the Ethiopian region, and were introduced into Arabia and the rest of the East by the fourth century (Best 2006). In the mid-fifteenth century, the Sufis of Yemen used coffee to stay awake during prayers. In the sixteenth century, there were coffee houses in Istanbul, Cairo, and Mecca, and in the mid-seventeenth century coffee houses opened in Europe.

Tea has been consumed in China for thousands of years, where it has been purported to have been discovered by the Chinese emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C.E. Traditional stories tell that monks drank tea to stay awake during meditation practice.

Guarana' and yerba mate' are plants indigenous to South America and it is presumed that the use of both of these plants by ancient peoples such as the Guarani tribesmen, from whom the guarana plant was named, started before any recorded history of this area.

Cola nuts are indigenous to West Africa and have been chewed by local people possibly for thousands of years. Cola has been traded to other countries as a valuable commodity since probably before the fourteenth century. The nuts have been used as a stimulant by African Islamic people who use them instead of alcohol, which is forbidden.

Cacao in the form of a chocolate beverage has been traced to the early Maya about 2,600 years ago. In 1519 Hernando Cortes entered Mexico and reported that cocoa was being consumed in large quantities by the Aztec leader Montezuma.

Preparation of pure caffeine

In 1821 relatively pure caffeine was isolated for the first time by the German chemist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge. According to legend, he did this at the instigation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Weinberg and Bealer 2001). He called this substance kafein, which means "something found in coffee." Caffeine was not synthesized until 61 years later in 1882, by the German chemist and Nobel laureate Emil Fischer (Merck Index 2001).

Purified caffeine powder can be synthesized from a variety of starting materials, such as urea, xanthine, theophylline, and theobromine. The high demand for decaffeinated products has resulted in an abundant supply of caffeine washes extracted from coffee and tea. The relative ease of purification of caffeine from these decaffeination liquids makes synthesis much more expensive by comparison. Today, most caffeine powder is derived from these natural extracts.

Caffeine extraction is an important industrial process and can be performed using a number of different solvents. Benzene, chloroform, trichloroethylene, and dichloromethane have all been used over the years, but for reasons of safety, environmental impact, cost and flavor, they have been superseded by two main methods: water and carbon dioxide.

In the water method, green coffee beans are soaked in water. The water extract, which contains not only caffeine but also many flavor compounds, is then passed through activated charcoal, which removes the caffeine. The water can then be put back with the beans and evaporated dry, leaving decaffeinated coffee with a good flavor. Coffee manufacturers recover the caffeine and resell it for use in soft drinks and medicines.

Supercritical carbon dioxide is a good solvent for caffeine extraction that is less toxic than the organic solvents that have been used in the past. The extraction process is simple: CO2 is forced through the green coffee beans at temperatures above 31.1 °C and pressures above 73 atmospheres. Under these conditions, CO2 is said to be in a "supercritical" state: it has gas-like properties which allow it to penetrate deep into the beans, but also liquid-like properties that dissolve 97-99 percent of the caffeine. The caffeine-laden CO2 is then sprayed with high pressure water to remove the caffeine. The caffeine can then be isolated by activated carbon or by other standard methods.

Effects of caffeine

Caffeine has a significant effect on spiders, which is reflected in their web construction.

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and is used to increase mental alertness when drowsiness occurs. It can produce faster flow of thought, improved focus, and better coordination.

The one physiological function that is most sensitive to caffeine is the sleep-wakefulness cycle, which is presumed to be controlled by the following brain areas: locus ceruleus, raphe nuclei, and the reticular formation. Caffeine will prolong the onset of sleep (latency) and shorten its duration.

Caffeine causes an increase in blood flow to the kidneys and an increase in the production of urine. It also decreases the tubular reabsorption of sodium and water, resulting in more dilute urine.

In the brain, caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict, but among the peripheral blood vessels, caffeine causes dilation. Caffeine causes a brief increase in the following: heart rate, cardiac output, and the force of contraction. At doses greater than 250 mg, it may cause extra beats, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and/or major ventricular arrhythmias (Drug Facts Comparisons 2001). Several studies have shown that caffeine causes increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as skin temperature in a definite dose-dependent relationship (Chawla et al. 2006).

Caffeine stimulates skeletal muscle by increasing the strength of contraction and decreasing fatigue. It also stimulates the breakdown of glycogen and lipids to enhance endurance.

In subjects who have a limited history of caffeine use, this drug will cause an increase in plasma levels of epinephrine (adrenalin), norepinephrine (noradrenalin,) and renin, which activates the angiotensinogen/angiotensin cascade to increase blood pressure.

Caffeine causes an increase in turnover of some neurotransmitters in the brain, such as acetylcholine and the monoamines (norepinephrine and domamine). It also potentates the effect of certain dopamine-releasing (dopaminergic) cells in the prefrontal cortex. However, unlike typical drugs of abuse, caffeine does not affect dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens.

Caffeine is sometimes administered in combination with analgesics to increase their effectiveness, such as with ergotamine in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches, or with certain pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Caffeine may also be used to overcome the drowsiness caused by antihistamines. Cessation of breathing (apnea) in premature infants is sometimes treated with citrated caffeine, which is available only by prescription in many countries.

When taken in excess, caffeine use has been correlated to nervousness, insomnia, jitteriness, and reduced depth of sleep (Hoeger, Turner and Hafen 2002). Long term effects of prolonged repeated use can include risk of stomach ulcers, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms (headache, irritability, tiredness) (Hoeger, Turner, and Hafen 2002).

While relatively safe for adult humans, caffeine is considerably more toxic to some other animals such as dogs, horses and parrots due to a much poorer ability to metabolize this compound. Caffeine has a much more significant effect on spiders, for example, than most other drugs do (Noever, et al. 1995)

Effects on fetuses and newborn children

There is some evidence that caffeine may be dangerous for fetuses and newborn children. In a 1985 study conducted by scientists of Carleton University, children born by mothers who had consumed more than 300 mg per day of caffeine were found to have, on the average, lower birth weight and head circumference than the children of mothers who had consumed little or no caffeine. In addition, use of large amounts of caffeine by the mother during pregnancy may cause problems with the heart rhythm of the fetus. For these reasons, some doctors recommend that a woman largely discontinue caffeine consumption during pregnancy and possibly also after birth until the newborn child is weaned.

The negative effects of caffeine on the developing fetus can be attributed to the ability of caffeine to inhibit two DNA damage response proteins known as Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) or ATM-Rad50 Related (ATR). These proteins control much of the cells' ability to stop the cell cycle in the presence of DNA damage, such as DNA single/double strand breaks and nucleotide dimerization. DNA damage can occur relatively frequently in actively dividing cells, such as those in the developing fetus. Caffeine is used in laboratory setting as an inhibitor to these proteins and it has been shown in a study (Lawson et al. 2004) that women who use caffeine during pregnancy have a higher likelihood of miscarriage than those who do not. Since the dosage rate of self-administration is difficult to control and the effects of caffeine on the fetus are related to random occurrence (DNA damage), a minimal toxic dose to the fetus has yet to be established.

Caffeine's toxicity to humans

There has been extensive research on caffeine and this drug’s effect on the health of human beings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded in 1958 that caffeine is recognized as safe for consumption. A recent review claims to have found no signs or evidence that caffeine’s use in carbonated beverages would produce unhealthy effects on the consumer.

The American Medical Association (AMA) views caffeine as being safe for consumption. They state that those drinking moderate amounts of coffee and tea probably do not need to have concern for their health in regards to caffeine consumption (IFIC 2998).

The minimum amount of caffeine needed to cause death to human beings is estimated to be 150-200 mg/kg of body weight. Symptoms of acute toxicity, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and possibly seizures (Sauer 1994) may be observed after taking sublethal doses of caffeine. There have been some deaths from intentional overdosing on caffeine pills.

Too much caffeine, especially over an extended period of time, can lead to a number of physical and mental conditions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) states: "The four caffeine-induced psychiatric disorders include caffeine intoxication, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder, caffeine-induced sleep disorder, and caffeine-related disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)."

An overdose of caffeine can result in a state termed caffeine intoxication or caffeine poisoning. Its symptoms are both physiological and psychological. Symptoms of caffeine intoxication include: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, muscle twitching, rambling, cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia, and psychomotor agitation, gastrointestinal complaints, increased blood pressure, constricting of superficial blood vessels, sometimes resulting in cold hands or fingers, increased amounts of fatty acids in the blood, and an increased production of gastric acid. In extreme cases mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, loss of social inhibition, delusions, hallucinations and psychosis may occur (Medline Plus 2006).

It is commonly assumed that only a small proportion of people exposed to caffeine develop symptoms of caffeine intoxication. However, because it mimics organic mental disorders, such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, a growing number of medical professionals believe caffeine-intoxicated people are routinely misdiagnosed and unnecessarily medicated. Shannon et al. (1998) point out that:

Caffeine-induced psychosis, whether it be delirium, manic depression, schizophrenia, or merely an anxiety syndrome, in most cases will be hard to differentiate from other organic or non-organic psychoses....The treatment for caffeine-induced psychosis is to withhold further caffeine." One study declared that "although infrequently diagnosed, caffeinism is thought to afflict as many as one person in ten of the population" (James and Stirling 1983).

Caffeine increases the production of stomach acid and tends to relax the gastro-esophageal sphincter (Drug Facts and Comparisons 2001), which controls the passage of materials between the stomach and esophagus. High intake of caffeine over time can lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

It is suggested that "slow metabolizers" who carry a variant of the enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) have an increased risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Tolerance and withdrawal

Tolerance to caffeine occurs when individuals require higher doses to achieve the same level of stimulation. This effect can be demonstrated for blood pressure, heart rate, and the diuretic effect as well as an effect on the levels of renin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Tolerance is apparent usually after only a few days. Tolerance has also been demonstrated for certain subjective effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. However, the existence of caffeine tolerance on the levels of alertness and the sleep cycle has been difficult to measure.

When daily caffeine consumption is stopped, then a state of withdrawal begins. The symptoms may include headache, nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, and irritability; in extreme cases symptoms may include depression, inability to concentrate, and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks at home or at work.

Withdrawal symptoms typically appear within 12 to 24 hours after stopping caffeine intake; then peak at 20 to 48 hours, and then last from one to five days. In extreme cases, withdrawal can begin in 3 to 6 hours and last for one week. Analgesics, such as aspirin, can relieve the pain symptoms.

Currently, caffeine withdrawal is recognized as meriting further study by the DSM-IV and possible inclusion in the diagnostic list of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Caffeine metabolism

Caffeine is easily absorbed when taken orally, with 99 percent absorption occurring within 15-120 minutes. A dose of 250 mg produces a peak plasma level of 5-25 micrograms per milliliter (ml). In order for caffeine to be effective, it must reach a plasma level of 6-13 micrograms/ml (Drug Facts and Comparisons 2001). After ingestion, caffeine has a physiological half-life in adults of three to seven hours, with much longer values in neonates and pregnant women (PharmGKB 2004). It is rapidly distributed to all body compartments and crosses the placenta and blood-brain barrier. Small amounts will also enter breast milk.

Continued consumption of caffeine can lead to drug tolerance. Upon withdrawal, the body becomes oversensitive to adenosine, causing the blood pressure to drop dramatically, which leads to headaches and other symptoms.

Caffeine is metabolized in the liver, through demethylation and oxidation, by a cytochrome P450 enzyme system known as 1A2 or CYP1A2. In the first stage it forms three dimethylxanthines:

  • 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) at 80-84 percent
  • 3,7-dimethylxanthine (theobromine)at 10-12 percent
  • 1,3-dimethylxanthine (theophylline)at 4 percent

Each of these metabolites is further metabolized and then excreted in the urine, primarily as methylated urates and methylated xanthines. About one percent of caffeine enters the urine unchanged.

Mechanism of action

It is believed that the main action of caffeine is to block adenosine receptors (A1 and A2a) on the surfaces of cells within the CNS. Adenosine is composed of adenine plus ribose, a five carbon sugar. Since the caffeine molecule is structurally similar to adenine, it is able to bind to adenosine receptors without activating them and thus prevent their activation by adenosine. Adenosine is a neuromodulator that modifies the release of neurotransmitters from nerve cells. When caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, the cells act as if the receptor is empty. This blocking of receptors has important secondary effects on many types of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, gamma amino butyric acid, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Caffeine has also been shown to affect the turnover of several neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine (Fredholm 1999).

It has been reported that caffeine acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase. However, the levels of caffeine in blood required to produce an increase in blood pressure are well below those required for inhibition of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (Chawla, et al. 2006). Therefore inhibition of this enzyme can not explain caffeine's therapeutic effects.

The metabolites of caffeine may contribute to caffeine's effects. Theobromine dilates the blood vessels which increases the flow of blood and thus leads to an increase in the amount of oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain and muscles. Theophylline acts as a smooth muscle relaxant that chiefly affects the bronchioles and also acts to increase heart rate and efficiency. Paraxanthine or 1,7-dimethylxanthine, is responsible for the breakdown of triglycerides, which results in an increase in the release of glycerol and fatty acids into the blood (Dews et al. 1984).

Caffeine increases the capacity for physical labor. A study conducted in 1979 showed a 7 percent increase in distance cycled over a period of two hours in subjects who consumed caffeine compared to control tests (Ivy, et al. 1979). Another study of trained runners showed a 44 percent increase in "race-pace" endurance, as well as a 51 percent increase in cycling endurance, after a dosage of 9 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (Graham and Spriet 1991). Another group found that consumption of 5.5 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body mass resulted in subjects cycling 29 percent longer during high intensity circuits (Trice and Hayes 1995).

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

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  • Hill,A. F. 1952. Economic Botany, second edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc.
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