By Malu Lambert

It’s mid-morning. Stephen Smit has a headache. His computer screen swims in front of him. He’s restless, irritable, and his muscles ache. “I can’t be coming down with flu,” he thinks. “I’ve already had my vaccination.” Or is the answer that he hasn’t had his usual ‘cuppa Joe’ this morning? Stephen normally would have had three by now. Today, though, his wife has asked him to cut down. “Could I be having withdrawal symptoms?” he thinks. It’s long been thought that caffeine is bad for you. Recent studies suggest, however, that caffeine, in moderation, is actually good for you. Caffeine interferes with adenosine—a chemical in the body that acts as a natural sleeping pill. It blocks the calming effect and keeps you from falling asleep.  In small amounts, caffeine can enhance your mood. It can also keep you alert and inspire creativity.

On the flipside, certain studies say excessive caffeine causes anxiety, heart problems and even hallucinations, the latter according to a study by Durham University in the UK. The participants with a high intake of caffeine were three times more likely to hear voices or to see things that weren’t there.  It makes sense if you consider that caffeine is the world’s most popular psychoactive drug—affecting the brain and influencing behaviour.  Back to Stephen’s case. To get through his 12-hour day he usually drinks seven cups of coffee. A huge amount, considering the average consumption is three cups of coffee. So it’s no surprise he’s now exhibiting the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, especially if he has also been getting additional caffeine from other products. As with many drugs, you can get your caffeine fix from a variety of sources, sometimes without even knowing it. Caffeine hides in candy bars, chocolate milk, soda drinks, sweets and pain killers, to name a few.

Then, there are the not-so-shy energy drinks. The high caffeine content appeals to strung-out students and busy professionals. Danger also lies in the equally high sugar content. Too much sugar will not only accelerate tooth decay but, combined with the caffeine, it could also overwork your ticker. Talking about sugar, a study done in Finland found that people who drank three to four cups of coffee a day (with no sugar, of course) lowered their chances of developing diabetes by approximately 30 per cent. The study claimed that antioxidants in coffee help deliver insulin to the body’s tissues.

While caffeine can give some people the shakes, it can also help prevent Parkinson’s disease, apparently by promoting the release of dopamine, the chemical involved with movement.  There are more pluses. A recent study chronicled in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that caffeine can help kill off cells damaged by ultraviolet light. In other words, caffeine-enhanced cream may help prevent certain types of skin cancer. Already on the market are caffeine-based cellulite creams claiming that caffeine applied topically helps ‘burn off’ fat as well as increasing the blood flow to the dimply area.  Whichever way you prefer your caffeine, in the form of hot java, an energy drink, a headache pill or even a Bar One, remember moderate consumption will have the most health benefits and the least ill effects.