Caffeined

PAGE N2 I NEW STRAITS TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 NIEXTER ece Caffeinated 920 CAFFEINE is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid and a stimulant drug. For humans, caffeine acts as a stimulant, temporarily warding off drowsiness and restoring alertness. It is considered as the world's most widely consumed psychoactive drug. Here's something you might not know about caffeine. I. One of the world's primary sources of caffeine is the coffee bean. 4. Coffee flavoured cakes and biscuits may come to mind when one thinks of the adaptation of coffee in various forms, yet such food only contain chemically-brewed flavourings of coffee and not actual caffeine. 2. The next good source of caffeine is tea, and caffeine is in both the English and Chinese versions, making it a good substitute for people who need a boost, but don't like the taste of coffee. D 5. Another source of caffeine is chocolate, but perhaps that doesn't come as too much of a surprise, since we already know it gives us energy. An interesting thing to note, however, is that darker chocolate provides more caffeine than lighter or milkier versions. One surprising source of caffeine is decaf coffee. Despite what its name implies, it contains caffeine as well, though in a smaller amount when compared to its full-blown sibling. 6 Additionally, energy drinks in general, as well as sodas, contain large amounts of caffeine, with some, clocking in over 300 milligrammes per serving, though most are relatively tame, with roughly 20-50milligrammes. Advantages of caffeine Disaduantages of carreine It wakes us up in the morning, and keeps us awake when we need to be. The things it is found most in, such as coffee and energy drinks, are easy to get addicted to (I'm sure many of us know this already!). It causes high blood pressure. It causes dehydration. Caffeine is a natural painkiller, and can help lessen headaches, though too much will cause them instead. It negatively affects long-term memory (but helps with short- term memory). Though it keeps us awake, caffeine may work better than we expect, and cause sleeplessness when we do want to go to bed. It lowerstherisk of Type2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and some kinds of cancer. Sources: • http://www.health.com http://www.neontommy.com • http://www.webmd.com en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine By Alicia Loh, 16 www.alicialoh.com