Learn the facts about caffeine consumption

It may not be a stretch to suggest that about half of you are drinking a cup of coffee while reading this article.

After all, this is a morning newspaper, so the timing is probably perfect for a bit of breakfast and a “cuppa.”

And, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website, drinking two to four cups (caffeine content 200 to 300 milligrams) of coffee a day isn’t harmful. “Consumer Reports” more liberally said that healthy adults could consume up to 400 milligrams safely.

Many of us rely on a bit of caffeine to wake us up and it does a good job of stimulating the central nervous system, alleviating fatigue, increasing wakefulness, and improving concentration and focus.

But, heavy caffeine use, more than 500 to 600 milligrams a day, may be a different story. Remember coffee and tea isn’t our only source of caffeine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that caffeine is being added to many foods, including jelly beans, water, instant oatmeal, marshmallows, waffles and gum. And we’ve always known it’s in soft drinks, chocolate and some over-the-counter pain medications.

While manufacturers are adding caffeine to products attractive to children, the FDA hasn’t set guidelines as to how much caffeine a child should consume. Some advocate as little as 22 milligrams per day although Consumer Reports says 45 to 85 milligrams depending on weight is safe for children. That brings us to recommend reading labels on everything your child eats or drinks.

Then, speaking of drinks, the now very popular energy drinks are huge purveyors of caffeine and some very scary results.

Last November, the FDA attributed 92 illnesses and 13 deaths to 5-Hour Energy Shots, 40 illnesses and five deaths to Monster Energy and 13 illnesses and two lasting disabilities to Rockstar Energy.

“FDA cautions consumers that products marketed as ‘energy shots’ or ‘energy drinks’ are not alternatives to rest or sleep. It is important for consumers to realize that, while stimulants such as caffeine may make one feel more alert and awake, judgment and reaction time can still be impaired by insufficient rest or sleep.

“If you are thinking about taking one of these products, please consult your health care provider to ensure that you don’t have an underlying or undiagnosed medical condition that could worsen as a result of using them,” FDA’s website says.

Let’s weigh the pros and cons. Michigan State Univer-sity Exten-sion’s study says, “Caffeine may help protect human brain cells, which lowers the risk of developing some diseases, such as Parkinson’s.”

It can stimulate the gallbladder and reduce the risk of gallstones, constricts blood vessels which may help relieve some headache pain and reduces inflammation that may lead to heart related illnesses.

On the flip side they said, “There is a significant association between drinking caffeinated coffee and the decrease of bone mineral density, which leads to osteoporosis.”

Plus, caffeinated drinks can increase blood sugar levels, and is also a diuretic which may cause dehydration.

The Mayo Clinic advises you to check with your health care professional or your pharmacist to ascertain if any of your medications or supplements may cause an interaction.

It’s known that some antibiotics may interfere with the breakdown of caffeine and echinacea may increase the concentration of caffeine in your blood.

Those are just two examples of many.

If moderate use of caffeine is part of your daily routine, and you don’t experience adverse effects, there’s nothing to worry about. The rest of you should consult with your medical provider.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.