Caffeine dependence after prolonged consumption

Coffee has been one of the most consumed beverages in the world for centuries. Historically, it has been surrounded by popular beliefs, although, at present, there are multiple scientific studies that attribute beneficial and also negative effects to it.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychostimulant substance in the world and can be found in coffee, tea and other food products.

Caffeine was discovered for the first time in 1819 and, since then, its consumption has been increasing worldwide. It is mainly consumed in infusions extracted from the fruit of the coffee plant and tea leaves, although it is also present in yerba mate and guarana fruit.

In humans, it acts as a central nervous system stimulant, restoring alertness and eliminating drowsiness, although studies to date attribute other effects to it:

• Antioxidant effect: caffeinated beverages also contain antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids to which protective effects against various diseases are attributed.
• Diuretic effect.
• Neuroprotective in neurodegenerative diseases. Some studies show the protective character of moderate caffeine consumption in diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
• Helps in migraine attacks and headaches due to its vasoconstrictor action and enhances the effect of some analgesic drugs.
• It improves sports performance, with a peak of action between 2-4 hours after its consumption.

All the beneficial effects of caffeine are associated with moderate consumption, however, its abuse (more than 400mg per day) can produce harmful effects that include restlessness and tremors, insomnia, headache, tachycardia, anxiety and dependence.

Although the effects of caffeine are short-lived because it does not accumulate in the body, each person may react differently. For example, pregnant women can take up to three times longer to metabolize the compound, while smokers eliminate it much faster.