Caffeine has been used as a medicinal and recreational drug since before recorded history, by consumption of caffeine bearing plants. However, the discovery of the chemical did not occur until a young physician called Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge isolated and purified the white crystalline substance in 1819.
What was caffeine used for?
Caffeine is used to restore mental alertness or wakefulness during fatigue or drowsiness . Caffeine is also found in some headache and migraine medications, in certain dietary supplements used for weight loss, and in many popular energy drinks.
When was caffeine first used?
It turns out, though, that this relationship might be even older than we realized: According to new research, caffeinated drinks have possibly been around since 750 AD (or CE, if you prefer) in what today is the American Southwest — meaning mankind has been getting their caffeine fix for roughly 1,200 years.
How did caffeine originate?
The words caffeine and coffee are both derived from the Arabic word qahweh (pronounced “kahveh” in Turkish). The origins of the words reflect the spread of coffee into Europe via Arabia and Turkey from northeast Africa, where coffee trees were cultivated in the sixth century.
Who should not use caffeine?
No one food or drink will make or break your long-term health. Caffeinated coffee is not recommended for: People with arrhythmias (e.g. irregular heartbeat) People who often feel anxious.
What are the long-term side effects of caffeine?
Long-term effects at this level may include chronic insomnia, constant anxiety, depression, and stomach problems . It can also cause high blood pressure or make high blood pressure worse.
Where was caffeine first used?
The first civilization to utilize it were the Olmecs of Mexico [4]. The drink was passed on to the Izapa, the Mayans, and finally to Europeans who used the cacao beans to make confections. Scanning electron micrograph of caffeine crystals.
When did humans start drinking caffeine?
The earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appears in modern-day Yemen from the middle of the 15th century in Sufi shrines, where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed in a manner similar to how it is now prepared for drinking.
What birth defects are caused by caffeine?
Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS), we examined the association between maternal caffeine consumption and anotia/microtia, esophageal atresia, small intestinal atresia, craniosynostosis, diaphragmatic hernia, omphalocele, and gastroschisis .
How did caffeine impact the world?
According to Pollan, caffeine drove a kind of “Enlightenment thinking .” The coffee houses that stretched first across the Arab world and eventually Europe became not only the internet of their day, spreading gossip and news, but also centers of discussion that fostered important cultural, political, and scientific ...
Who uses caffeine the most?
Caffeine intake was highest in consumers aged 50-64 years (226±2 mg/day). The 90th percentile intake was 380 mg/day for all ages combined. Coffee was the primary contributor to caffeine intakes in all age groups.
Who found caffeine?
Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge , who is celebrated in today’s Google doodle, was the discoverer of caffeine and the first person to isolate quinine, but his contribution to chemistry is often overlooked. He also invented paper chromatography, a method for separating chemicals which is widely used in teaching labs.
Does caffeine have negative effects?
Caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, although habit forming. Some side effects linked to excess intake include anxiety, restlessness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and trouble sleeping ( 53 ). Too much caffeine may also promote headaches, migraine, and high blood pressure in some individuals (54, 55 ).
Is caffeine bad for your kidneys?
Caffeine found in coffee, tea, soda, and foods can also place a strain on your kidneys. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can cause increased blood flow, blood pressure and stress on the kidneys. Excessive caffeine intake has also been linked to kidney stones.
Is Quitting caffeine good?
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it’s not ideal for promoting quality sleep. Removing it from your day keeps cortisol and melatonin at their natural rhythms, which results in better sleep and less fatigue.
What are 5 short-term effects of caffeine?
Caffeine is well absorbed by the body, and the short-term effects are usually experienced between 5 and 30 minutes after having it. These effects can include increased breathing and heart rate , and increased mental alertness and physical energy. Depending on the individual, these effects can last up to 12 hours.
