tea

It seems caffeine may enhance memory and learning, but not if it is taken before the lesson is to be learned. Research from a few years ago says caffeine should be taken after that important business meeting, crucial college lecture or other knowledge-imparting event you need to recall.

Some studies show a benefit from caffeine on memory, some show none. Same with alcohol. But it seems scientists find with few exceptions that good diets promote healthy minds and bodies.

U.S. National Public Radio published a story titled "Caffeine for Sale: The Hidden Trade of the World's Favorite Stimulant" about how caffeine is removed from coffee beans and then where it goes after the decaf coffee is made.

Now there is a huge, worldwide trade in caffeine extracted from coffee beans. It is used in soda, energy drinks, medications and candies that have no natural caffeine content. And people wonder if synthetic caffeine is more dangerous than caffeine from natural sources. Scientists say there is no difference between the two.

Anhydrous caffeine is derived from coffee beans, guarana berries and tea leaves and other natural plant sources. It is prepared in a lab and is reduced to white crystals. Anhydrous caffeine dissolves in water and mixes easily with other substances. But this powder is powerful in minute doses. It is best to allow experts who make approved products, guided by people who know the chemistry and how much to administer in, say, a caffeine pill or mint.

There are many articles and blogs on the World Wide Web touting caffeine as a supplement for enhancing athletic performance and increasing gain from weightlifting and other types of workouts

A 2015 study of more than 1.2 million people found that folks who drink 3 to 5 cups of black coffee a day have fewer heart problems than those who drink none. People who drink 5 or more cups don’t have any more problems than anyone else.

Two other studies, meta-analyses that collated data from 11 other research articles, found that drinking 2 to 6 cups a day results in a lower risk of stroke disease. One of those meta-studies included data from more than 500,000 participants.

Coffee can help you live longer.

The writer, Dan Charles, bought a 4-ounce bag of caffeine and said it had as much caffeine as 1,000 tall Starbucks lattes. He said this caffeine was created in coffee beans on a hillside in the tropics. “Slowly and quietly, driven by the energy of sunlight, it formed inside coffee beans hanging on thousands of trees, most likely in Brazil or Vietnam,” Charles wrote.

“Those beans were harvested, loaded on ships bound for the port of Houston, Texas, and ended up at a factory within sight of downtown Houston: Atlantic Coffee Solutions. It’s owned by one of the world’s largest coffee traders, ECOM Agroindustrial Corp., which is based in Switzerland.”

Sages and philosophers from various world traditions have counseled “Everything in moderation,” and, stated another way, “Nothing in excess.” These aphorisms apply to caffeine, too, because too much of this otherwise beneficial chemical can cause insomnia, nervousness, muscle tremors and stomach upset.

Do you find yourself heading to the coffee-maker straight from bed? Then you’re one of 62% Americans who drink coffee every single day. Call it a morning ritual or a habit that can’t be shaken, but it’s pure unadulterated java love. But are you addicted to it? Here's how you'll know if you are and how to dial it down.

Is there a big difference between synthetic and natural caffeine? Which gives a stronger jolt? Does it even matter?

Natural caffeine in coffee, tea, and chocolate is much less common than the synthetic caffeine found in so many other products.

Caffeine is found in plant species such as the more popular ones like Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta, as well as tea leaves, kola nuts, cacao beans, Yerba mate and guarana berries.

Not only does naturally-occurring caffeine from said plants keep your cognitive functions at their peak, but it also contains antioxidants that help you fight illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

We’ve talked at length about coffee and how it can change your everyday life for the better (or worse, if you go overboard). But there’s another amazing drink that hasn’t been given much love here - tea.

Tea is such a healthy, delicious drink that many people swear by it. There are many ways to drink it (high or afternoon) and different types to try (traditional or herbal).

Regardless of how you want your tea, it has the same benefits as coffee, including getting your usual dose of caffeine.

Caffeine is known to bring a great deal of health benefits day in and day out. From helping you get clear, misty-looking skin, carry a sprightly vibe throughout the day, or win the gold in your favorite sport, caffeine just keeps winning the java-lover in you.

But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, having one too many cups of joe leads to unwanted side effects, turning a regular caffeine hit into a love-hate relationship.

Upset tummy is perhaps one of the *supposedly* negative effects of being too caffeine-happy. Hear a growling tummy or feel a nagging pain in the stomach? Must be your fourth cup of coffee, right?

But is caffeine really to blame?

We all love our cup of joe. Whether it’s because of the surprising health benefits it brings, the occasional buzz we need, or just a habit we’ve formed, it’s become an indispensable part of our everyday life.

But did you know that “nature’s call” comes with your java fix?

This is NOT a drill.

According to various studies, coffee can make you poop.

Caffeine has been known to give a whole heap of benefits - from giving that first jolt in the morning to keeping high concentration and perky vibe throughout the day.

The good news for big caffeine fanatics is that our favourite - and most frequently consumed [1] - stimulant can come from different sources.

Coffee may be the most popular, but it can also come from caffeine mints and pills, chocolate (beverage and milk bars alike), cake, yogurt, and tea!

Yes - tea. That seemingly innocuous cup of tea can give you that much needed boost.

It’s such a healthy, delicious drink and there are many ways to drink it. But just the same, tea could give you your daily caffeine fix without the jitters.