Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

Caffeine is the world's most commonly used mood-altering drug. It's used as a pick-me-up, but many people don't realize that following that elevation in mood, there's always a down period, unless more caffeine is taken. This up and down day long jolt to your body can wreak havoc with your adrenals and other body systems.

In low doses, caffeine does increase feelings of well-being, the ability to concentrate, and energy levels. At high doses it produces jitteriness, restlessness, anxiety and insomnia.

Caffeine is so ubiquitous in American culture that many people are caffeine-dependent and don't recognize the extent to which their preference for foods and beverages is guided by the pharmacology of caffeine. The drug is widely consumed in coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, and chocolate. It is also a component in hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, ranging from cold medicines to analgesics.

When ingesting caffeine, calcium and magnesium are excreted, which may increase the risk of osteoporosis. Caffeine also increases blood pressure and suppresses heart rate and cardiac output. According to the results of one study, the effect was greatest in borderline hypertensive participants who experienced a 2 to 3 greater change in postdrug caffeine diastolic blood pressure compare to a control group who weren't given caffeine.

Dim light combined with caffeine suppresses nighttime melatonin levels and weakens the normal decrease in temperature during sleep. If you must drink coffee or eat chocolate or take any of the other caffeine substances available, do so no later than 6 p.m.

Caffeine can also decrease the probability of conception. Decreases were observed among women who were coffee drinkers and men who were heavy tea drinkers, and occurred regardless of caffeine content. Another study found similar evidence. Women in the highest level of caffeine consumption had an increase of 11% in the time leading to first pregnancy.

Another study provided evidence that caffeine intake can increase the risk of first-trimester spontaneous abortion. The researchers suggest that decreasing caffeine intake in early pregnancy may be appropriate.

Caffeine also negatively affects pregnancy. Pregnant women who drank two or more cups of coffee a day delivered infants who weighed less than babies born to mothers who didn't consume caffeine. The researchers theorized that caffeine constricts the placental blood vessels, inhibiting the infant's growth. Another study of pregnant women found that coffee drunk by mother crossed the fetal blood-brain barrier and bind to neuronal receptors. When the baby is born the risk of hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) occurs.

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment consult your health care practitioner.


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