Degradation of caffeine in the body

When caffeine is broken down in the liver, it becomes three new drugs. These substances play a large role in the feelings you experience when, for instance, drinking coffee or cola:

• Theobromine - this substance helps to increase the amount of both oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

• Paraxanthine - this drug can promotes lipolysis, fat break down, resulting in compounds used in muscle for energy.

• Theophylline - this drug can increase the heart rate and the ability to concentrate.

We know that man rather quickly develops a tolerance to caffeine, which is typically the sign of addiction. One can thus be immune to caffeine, and therefore after prolonged intake, need more caffeine than beforehand to achieve a physiological effect.

There are both advantages and disadvantages of caffeine in the body. In high doses we can experience tremors and general discomfort. The American Chemical Society recommends not consuming more than about 400 mg of caffeine per day. This corresponds to three large cups of coffee, five cans of Red Bull or eight cups of black tea. Sleep disorders due to caffeine intake have been reported, for example, when 400 mg of caffeine was consumed 3 times a day for 7 days.