Java Man Gladwell Summary

Thesis: Caffeine can have many different effects on the body depending on the amount of consumption.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adolescents should not consume more than one hundred milligrams a day, and even less so for younger children. Typically, an eight ounce (237 milliliters) drink of brewed caffeinated coffee contains a range of ninety-five to two hundred milligrams of coffee, whereas the same sized drink of decaffeinated coffee will generally have two to twelve milligrams (Nutrition). So, decaffeinated coffee only contains, generally, 0.04% of the caffeine that untreated coffee grounds have. In testing both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, it might be possible to see if the caffeine in the coffee will have a distinct effect

Research has stated, “Caffeine alters normal cell functions and reduces blood flow to the fetus. But beyond that-and that it can pass through the placental barrier-its effects on a fetus remain poorly understood” (Caffeine par 7). This alteration of cell functionality is the main factor in the change of weight in fetuses. Low birth weight is one of the major effects of caffeine abuse by pregnant women, however, the largest effect could be a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. Women who consume substances containing caffeine on a daily basis can nearly double their risk of miscarriage (Driedger, Doyle par 1). Not only are women in trouble, but also men looking to conceive with their partner can be found not fecund enough to reproduce. The motility of a man’s sperm is affected, thus making it harder for sperm to be productive (So par 1). This research has been troubling for those looking to start a family which has led to the interference of the FDA. Government officials seek to advise pregnant women to eliminate or reduce caffeine consumption. CSPI chief regulatory affairs attorney, Laura MacCleery stated, "Pregnant women deserve accurate advice about the risks caffeine poses to their healthy pregnancy and have been badly misinformed” (CSPI par 4). She pushes the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to stop giving the impression that 200 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe. MacCleery

Even though I do not possess a caffeine produced disease, I have experienced the consequences of drinking high amounts of caffeine which includes anxiety, insomnia, gastritis, colitis, mild tremors, and irritability. Although small quantities of caffeine may not substantially cause serious problems, if consumed in high quantities (>400mg.), it might worse the conditions of an anxiety disorder, diarrhea, bipolar disorder, bleeding disorders, heart conditions, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, and high blood pressure (webmd, 2009). In addition to the consequences of caffeine mentioned above, new studies have linked caffeine to psychotic symptoms (Grimson, 2011). At the moment, I do not suffer any of the diseases previously mentioned, but I do have a family history of diabetes, depression, and anxiety disorders. Thus, the predisposition to any of the risks of a high caffeine intake increases. In summary, the consequences of consuming high doses of caffeine vary from person to person, and it may elicit different effects, which may range from a mild change of mood to a complex psychotic break; therefore I considered quitting caffeine an optimum choice for a healthier

The two articles that were selected focused on the effects of caffeine and how the human body becomes dependent on caffeine. The language used in both of these articles demonstrates an obvious difference between the two. The understanding of the primary literature article is targeted toward a specific audience while the secondary literature article is targeted toward the general population. The understanding of each article has its own distinguishable characteristics.

All around the world, people drink coffee, tea and caffeinated drinks to wake up in the morning, to be more vigilant and alert throughout the day. Not only does this keep individuals alert but also allows them to focus and efficiently manage their time throughout their day. This quality of caffeine has caused it to be one of the most highly consumed psychoactive drugs. Individuals who require frequent intakes of Caffeine often feel tired, weak, drowsy if they tend to miss their cup of coffee early in the morning. Although, Caffeine is known for causing wakefulness and alertness it also has its downsides. If a person has a large dose of caffeine in a limited time, the drug could cause them trembling, anxiety and nausea. In long term effects,

Caffeine has become an integral part of most Americans lives, making it “America's most popular drug by far” (Brian). Most of the country will enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a few sodas during the day. Although most of the world’s population consumes caffeine in either coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks or sodas, the majority of those people are undereducated about the drug. There are many drawbacks to the drug, but also many benefits.

Depending on whether a person is a habitual or non-habitual caffeine drinker, caffeine consummation can have either a positive or negative effect on a person’s mood and performance (Childs & de Wit, 2006). One hundred and two (51 males and 51 females) nondependent caffeine users who consumed less than 300 mg of caffeinated beverages per week participated in a four experimental session study. Each participant was given four drug conditions in capsule form (placebo, 50, 150, or 450 mg of caffeine), each in random order, with three days intervals, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Before and after each drug administration, the participant’s physiological data (heart rate, blood pressure) was measured. Also the participant’s had to take behavior tasks

Caffeine is consumed in abundance worldwide and is extremely prevalent in today’s society. The average adult in the United States consumes around 300mg of coffee a day, making it clear that caffeine is an important part of many people’s lifestyles (Somogyi 1). Almost all of the caffeine that is consumed is in beverages with coffee as the primary source of caffeine in the U.S. (Somogyi 4). Approximately 75% of adults in the United States consume coffee and 58% consume coffee every day (CDBCNet). Chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks also contain caffeine, but generally not as much as coffee (Somogyi 4). Coffee shops are scattered throughout the world, from small local shops to giant chains. With 20,000 coffee shops in

Caffeine has become a staple in many developed nations. As a stimulant, caffeine provides a viable solution to many individuals maintaining a busy lifestyle. Particularly in the developed world, individuals tend to work long hours, which creates vast amounts of stress. To help alleviate much of the fatigue that accompanies a busy lifestyle, many individuals elect to drink caffeinated beverages. These beverages range from typical colas to coffee, to energy drinks. Each has its own concentration of caffeine, or energy inducing ingredients. Through the consumption of these beverages, many individuals develop a habit of dependency. Those who consume, often do so in large quantities. Large amounts of caffeine can potentially be harmful to an individual's health when consumed vigorously. Below is a chart from the Specialty Coffee Association of America indicating consumption within America. According to the data compiled in the chart, 172 million Americans consumed coffee on a daily basis.

People ask why is caffeine so appealing? Nutritionists state that kids and teens are not at risk if taken in moderation. However, for adults, they consume it as a drug. They desire it to improve mental and physical performance and mood. Caffeine is considered the most consumed drug in the world. As being a drug, caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and caffeine dependency. One may say that caffeine should be taken in moderation and can still have the pleasing effects on the central nervous system. If not, it will negatively affect the body mentally and

Caffeine is one to be sidestepped, or at least decreased substantially. Some studies have connected caffeine to low birth weight, premature birth and miscarriage.

Thesis: Caffeine is something that almost everyone has consumed and some people are even addicted to. Caffeine has negative and positive effects on one’s health

In some cases, some people may need to avoid or limit caffeine consumption due to a health conditions or individual sensitivity. Certain sensitive groups, such as pregnant women and

Caffeine has many negative effects on humans, such as increased heart rate (Lane, J.D., 2002), depression (Goldstein, 2008), and addiction to this “drug.” You may be asking yourself, “What is caffeine?” Well, caffeine is actually a stimulant (Barone, Roberts, 2008) that is found in beverages such as tea, coffee, and soft drinks. In fact, caffeine is the highest grossing and most used stimulant in the United States (Barone, Roberts, 2008). It is estimated that 85% of adults living in the United States consume caffeine on a daily basis (Barone, Roberts, 2008). That means for every 100 adults, 85 of them have had a drink that contained caffeine on any given day. One reason caffeine is so widely available compared to other stimulants is