Caffeine: formula, preparations, indications, properties

Caffeine, the formula of which will be presented to your attention in the article, is a substance contained in quite a few foodstuffs that we use almost every day. Green tea, coffee, black tea, Coca-Cola, chocolate, cocoa - all these popular drinks and foods contain a fairly large number. That is why this substance and its effects on the body should be known as much as possible.

In this article we will consider what is caffeine, all its properties and features. Therefore, if you have long wanted to know more about him, then this article will be able to help you.

Caffeine. Caffeine formula

Many of us often consume caffeine (with food, drinks). And what is it really? In scientific terms, caffeine is a purine-type alkaloid , which is a psychostimulant. In nature, most often found in some plants, including guarana, coffee tree, tea, cocoa, cola, mate and some others.

A very interesting fact, caffeine is produced by the above mentioned plants in order to protect themselves from pests that eat their leaves and stems. It also serves plants to attract insects to pollinators.

The chemical formula of caffeine is as follows: C₈H₁₀N₄O.

As for the physical properties of pure caffeine, it is a solid crystalline substance that is colorless and odorless. In some cases, caffeine, the formula of which is presented to your attention in the article, can be white.

How Caffeine Was Discovered

What is caffeine, you already know. And by whom and when was it opened? A famous chemist named Ferdinand Runge opened the caffeine. This event took place in 1819. The name "caffeine" also came up with Runge.

In spite of the fact that caffeine, known to all of us, was discovered as early as 1819, its formula and structure were studied only in the end of the XIX century. This was done by Herman Fisher, who also conducted the first synthesis of the substance. Largely due to this, in 1902 this German scientist received the most significant award in the scientific world, that is, the Nobel Prize.

Effects of caffeine on the human body

When caffeine enters the human or animal body, it starts to stimulate the central nervous system, promotes the acceleration of the heart and, as a consequence, the pulse, also dilates the blood vessels and has some other effects.

Such a strong effect of this substance on the human body led to a wide use of caffeine for medical purposes. It can often be found in many drugs from headaches, and it is often used as a stimulant for cardiac activity. Still, caffeine helps to eliminate drowsiness and increase mental activity, which is probably why the morning of the working day for many people begins with a cup of coffee.

Use of caffeine

Caffeine, the properties of which have been studied for a long time, has found application in many areas, first of all, it is actively used in the food industry, especially for the production of carbonated and energy drinks. It is also actively used in medicine. As already mentioned above, caffeine is a part of various medical preparations of different effects.

Caffeine has great success in sports medicine. Many athletes accept both pure caffeine in tablets and caffeine- containing preparations. In this direction it is valuable, first of all, due to its stimulating effect, which can positively affect the sports results. In addition, caffeine helps to burn fat better, which is also used in many sports pharmacological preparations, as well as in many weight loss products.

Also it can not be denied that caffeine can be an excellent pain killer. As studies show, in the treatment of chronic headaches, the use of this substance makes it possible to make the effectiveness of painkillers 40% higher.

Sometimes caffeine is used for the needs of special units and armies. For example, in the diet of the US Army special caffeinated chewing gum is included. It should be noted that they are used not only in the US Army, but also in free trade. It is believed that this chewing gum promotes the activation of the body, increases cardiac activity, copes well with drowsiness and has other effects characteristic of caffeine.

Caffeine content in foods

Coffee and tea are traditional drinks. Many people are interested in the question, where is more caffeine: in tea or coffee? Before answering it, it should be noted that the content of caffeine in coffee depends not only on the type of grains, but also on the degree of their roasting. For example, one cup of a custard contains approximately 100 to 200 mg of caffeine, while in one cup of a soluble beverage this figure can be 25 to 170 mg.

So where is more caffeine, tea or coffee? The answer is obvious. In any case, there is more caffeine in coffee than in tea. For example, one cup of black tea contains about 15 to 70 mg of caffeine, green - 25 to 45 mg of caffeine, whereas in a cup of coffee, as mentioned above, 25-170 mg.

It should be remembered that caffeine is contained not only in tea and coffee, it is lacking in many other drinks. Especially rich is the well-known "Coca-Cola". Also, caffeine is found in chocolate and, as a consequence, in all foods that have chocolate.

Caffeine: safe dose

Despite the large number of positive effects that such a substance as caffeine possesses, it definitely has its maximum permissible norm. As many medical studies say, a safe daily dose of caffeine is 400 milligrams a day.

Is this a lot or a little? It is best to show specific examples. 400 milligrams of caffeine is about 3-4 cups of soluble coffee with a volume of 0.25 liters, or 12-15 cups of green tea of the same volume. Or about 5 liters of Coca-Cola. Therefore, if you drink more tea a day, "Cola" or coffee, you should definitely revise your diet.

From caffeine, you can even die if you take in a day more than 10 grams of this substance. To better understand what is 10 grams of caffeine, imagine 120 cans of conventional energy, such as the "Red Bull", just so much to drink to get a lethal dose of this substance.

Studies show that excessive intake of caffeine, that is, more than 400 milligrams a day, can lead to a whole series of not the most pleasant consequences. For example, among them there may be heart problems, mood worsening and some other effects. Especially the excessive dose of caffeine is dangerous for pregnant and lactating women, for whom the maximum allowable amount of caffeine per day is 200 milligrams.

When caffeine is better not to use

Since caffeine is a fairly powerful psychostimulant and in itself has many different effects, there is a group of people who prefer to refrain from using this substance and the products containing it. Among such people, it should be especially noted insomniacs, atherosclerosis, diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, as well as with increased excitability.

"Caffeine-sodium benzoate": instructions for use

As already mentioned above, caffeine is actively used in the medical field, as it has many different effects and properties that can cope with many disorders. One of the most popular caffeinated preparations is "Caffeine-sodium benzoate", the instructions for use of which will be discussed below. He is able to help with various problems and diseases.

Pharmacological actions. According to its pharmacological effects, the drug "Kofeni-benzoat sodium" is completely analogous to caffeine.

Application. This drug is used for such violations as cardiovascular insufficiency, CNS depression, as well as poisoning with all kinds of narcotic substances. In addition, this drug can be used for problems with drowsiness, with enuresis in children, as well as if necessary to increase the level of mental and physical performance.

Side effects of caffeine. Like many other medications, "Caffeine-sodium benzoate" has some side effects. Among them, it is especially worth noting excessive anxiety, possible sleep disturbance, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting may also occur.

In the case of long-term use of this drug, there may be an addiction to it and in general to caffeinated preparations and products.

Features. It is important to consider that when taking "Caffeine-sodium benzoate", the impact depends on the type of the human nervous system, and can manifest itself both in the form of excitation and in the form of inhibition of its work.

Excessive use of this drug at the time of pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion, as well as slowing the growth of the fetus, and to a variety of disorders associated with his body. That's why, "Caffeine-sodium benzoate" is not recommended for pregnant women.

Also, the remedy is recommended not to be taken before bedtime, and in no case should the prescription be broken.

Interaction with other drugs

When using "Caffeine-sodium benzoate" together with other sleeping pills or narcotics, it is able to reduce their effect.

In the case of combined use with estrogens, it is possible to increase the effectiveness and lengthen the life of caffeine on the human body.

Also, caffeine when combined with ergotamine increases the rate of its absorption.

Overdose

An overdose of caffeine is usually accompanied by a number of effects, among which the most common are: increased anxiety, the onset of headache, restlessness, possible problems with consciousness, confusion and some other problems.

If the newborns concentration of caffeine in the blood exceeds 50 mg / ml, it can lead to a number of toxic effects, among which may be tachypnea, tremor, tachycardia. In the case of an even greater concentration, convulsions may occur.

The result

Caffeine is a substance with a very large number of various properties and effects, which makes it extremely popular in pharmacology, as well as in the food industry. Most people almost every day use this or that amount of caffeine through tea, coffee, chocolate or some carbonated drinks. Caffeine itself has a lot of positive effects on the body, including stimulation of the central nervous system, increased cardiac activity, fighting with drowsiness and a number of other effects. However, with a safe daily dose of 400 mg of caffeine a day, it can cause a large number of various health problems and even cause death if 10 grams of the substance are consumed per day.