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If you start your day with coffee, tea, or diet coke,
You start your day with caffeine
Some people swear they can't start their day without it
In fact, according to researchers from John Hopkins Medical Center
Around ninety-percent of Americans consume caffeine daily.
Caffeine is a stimulant found in beverages
Such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks
And in chocolates
Caffeine also comes in medicines
Either as part of painkillers or stimulants
It is even a natural pesticide
Killing insects unfortunate enough to order a Grande latte
Caffeine could be considered the only legal psychoactive drug in the country
Because less than a cup of coffee
Is enough to alter your mood
As little as 30 milligrams of caffeine
The equivalent to half a cup of coffee
Is enough to make you more alert.
The average American consumes nine times that
Or around 280 milligrams of caffeine daily
That is almost 4 cups of coffee
Just 100 milligrams a day
Is enough for a person to be dependent on it
Just because it may be addictive, doesn't mean it's bad
We are addicted to lots of things
Food, water, air, reality television Some of them are necessary for life
However, as with lots of great substances
Too much of it can cause harm
Caffeine has its benefits and drawbacks
Let's find out what they are
First, caffeine will make you alert
Just cup of a cup of coffee
Is enough to significantly improve
Your alertness and attentiveness
Some studies suggest that long-term consumption of caffeine
May even slow down cognitive decline
Second, caffeine may reduce the risk of stroke
Lower the risk of diabetes, and decrease fat
Third, it may help endurance athletes
By reducing perceived pain
And helping use fat as fuel
Finally, a low dose of caffeine with painkillers
Can reduce headache.
The caffeine in the medication also helps reduce
The probability of getting addicted to the painkiller
Of course caffeine isn't always kittens and roses
Sometimes it's kittens in roses
Caffeine can make you jittery
Over 400 milligrams a day or 6 to 7 cups of coffee
Can lead to insomnia, nervousness, irritability
Stomach upset, fast heartbeat, tremors and restlessness
One to three cups a day
May increase hypertension or blood pressure
Additionally, it may inhibit insulin
And increase your risk of type two diabetes
Didn't I just say that it improves insulin sensitivity?
Oops that may be from other ingredients found in coffee
It can disrupt your sleep
Leading to a myriad of health issues
Finally, and yes shockingly, it can be addictive
Caffeine may be a wonder brew or a cursed potion
As with all substances, moderation may be the answer
So weigh on these pros and cons before ordering that
Next cup of jo