Introduction

A 2015 study published in the Journal \”Current Neuropharmacology[note] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462044/[/note],\” showed that caffeine is the most consumed stimulant in the world. The thing is caffeine is naturally present in most common foods and beverages such as chocolate, tea, and coffee.

While caffeine may be present in both coffee and green tea, research has shown that the caffeine content in coffee is significantly higher than that in green tea. Coffee and green tea are also loaded with other nutrients that contribute to their numerous health benefits.

One important point that should be noted is that, just like other caffeinated beverages, there may be some health risks. Individuals who are at risk of health issues should either reduce or totally avoid their intake of caffeine. What this implies is that decaffeinated coffee or tea may be the best option at the end of the day.

Effects of caffeine

Caffeine has been consumed for centuries. There have also been lots of researches on whether caffeine is safe or not.

Because caffeine is a stimulant, it affects the central nervous system. In this way, it is able to boost athletic performance, concentration, and alertness, according to a 2015 study documented in the journal \”Advances in Nutrition[note] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4288269/[/note].\”

Caffeine also has diuretic properties. It can increase dehydration and urination. From clinical experience, caffeine can be isolated and used to treat asthma, pain relief, appetite, and headaches.

About green tea

If you drink green tea daily, at least a cup each day, you will get a small dose of caffeine. Studies have shown that from eight ounces of green tea, you can get up to 35mg of caffeine. This is half the amount present in conventional black tea.

Yet still, this is much more than decaffeinated tea, which has roughly 2-10mg of caffeine per cup. Caffeine is also present in iced green tea – roughly 15mg per 16-ounce container. Users are advised to be cautious when drinking green tea lattes or iced green tea, because they may be laced with extra sugar and sweeteners, thus increasing one’s intake of calories.

About coffee

An average cup of coffee – which is about 8 ounces, has between 100 to 200mg of caffeine. The caffeine present in a cup of coffee is three times the amount that is present in a cup of green tea.

To analyze it more critically, an anti-sleep aid has roughly 200mg of caffeine in each tablet. If you take a cup of decaffeinated coffee, you’ll have between 2 and 12 grams of caffeine. It is interesting to note that an ounce shot of espresso contains just 60 to 75mg of caffeine, so we could say that an 8-ounce of coffee has the same amount of caffeine as a 16-ounce latte. If sugar and milk are added, then it may rise to 200 calories.

The potential side effects

There is no harm in drinking a few cups of coffee per day. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that 85% of adults in the United States consume coffee quite regularly, and from different sources. This fact has been documented by the \”Frontiers in Psychiatry[note] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5445139/[/note].\”

Regular consumption of coffee in large amounts (i.e., amounts exceeding 500-600mg/day) can cause symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythms, irritation, poor sleep, and restlessness.

Also, if you have a high sensitivity to caffeine, you’re a nursing mother or you are pregnant, then you may have to reduce your intake of caffeine. Consumption of caffeine during pregnancy has a link with low birth weight and preterm birth[note] https://www.bmj.com/content/359/bmj.j5024[/note]. Also, caffeine interacts with certain medications. You must consult your physician prior to making drastic changes in your caffeine intake.