Facts about Caffeine
As many of you know, caffeine is a staple to the American diet. Found in tea, coffee, energy drinks, and energy gum (like ours of course!), America depends on regular doses of 1,3,7 trimethylxanthine, the chemical name for a bitter white powder known as caffeine, to help wake us up and get us through the day.
Caffeine is a psychoactive compound that directly affects our central nervous system in a stimulating way. Not considered a true addictive substance due to its relatively mild withdrawal symptoms, it is the most widely used and socially accepted "drug" in the world. It stimulates the release of stress hormones that make you more alert, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and speeds up cognition, making it the perfect choice for busy people...although too much of it can lead to serious side-effects like headaches or upset stomachs.
The Food and Drug Administration considers 400 milligrams a safe amount of caffeine for healthy adults to consume daily. However, pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg a day, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.