Irritation of Gastrointestinal Tract:
- Caffeine stimulates acid secretion in the stomach. 10 1/2 ounces of
coffee (two small cups) provokes an increase in output of HCl for more
than an hour in a normal person. In someone with an ulcer, the effect
is greater and lasts more than two hours.
Effects on Cardiovascular System:
- Caffeine clearly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Caffeine raises the blood pressure. Hypertension is a risk factor in
heart disease.
- Caffeine increases cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels.
- Heart rhythm disturbances, arrhythmia's, though usually of a mild
type, occur with caffeine.
- Caffeine also increases norepinephrine secretion, which causes some
vasoconstriction--that is, restricted blood flow.
- Because of the cardiovascular stimulation of caffeine, it seems
reasonable to assume that drinking four to five cups of coffee per day
would increase the incidence of myocardial infarction.
Effects on Central Nervous System:
- Headaches can also be very common, as is "heartburn".
- Psychological symptoms of general anxiety or panic attacks may also
occur.
- Hyperactivity and bed wetting may also develop in children who
consume caffeine.
The Exhausting Effects of Caffeine:
- The adrenal exhaustion, stress, fatigue, hypo-glycemia syndrome is
tied to caffeine use.
- Caffeine has an overall effect of increasing blood sugar (especially
when it is sweetened), as it stimulates the adrenals.
- Both stress and sugar use tend to pressure and weaken the adrenal
function, resulting in fatigue.
- Caffeine can override this fatigue and re-stimulate the adrenals,
eventually leading to chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, and
subsequent inability to handle stress and sugar intake.
Cancer-Causing Effects: - The incidence of certain cancers is increased with caffeine use. Bladder cancer is aggravated by the combination of nicotine and caffeine and by the mild dehydration that results from their use. - The occurrence of ovarian cancer is increased in women with long-term coffee intake. - Pancreatic cancer has also been in question as occurring more frequently with increased coffee use (more than three cups per day). - Prostate enlargement and cancer may also be attributed to increased caffeine intake. - There is a higher incidence of stomach cancer with more than five cups per day.