We all know that the raw material of caffeine in the coffee we drink is responsible for our fresh start in the morning, our short sleep, and our energy during the day. So what do we really know about caffeine? What chemical structure does this miracle substance have? How does it energize us? Is caffeine only in coffee or is it possible to consume it with other foods? Let’s get to know caffeine better by answering these questions together.
Chemical Structure
Therefore, a caffeinated drink is best consumed before exercise. And many athletes do just that. Indeed, there is such a term as “coffee addiction”, they talk about it like about nicotine, but of course it brings much less harm. If coffee is regularly loaded Caffeine, in its simplest definition, is a bitter ingredient that is naturally found in some foods and provides a psychoactive effect by stimulating the central nervous system in the body. It is one of the legal raw materials used consciously as a stimulant both in medicine and in daily life. Caffeine, which we have seen to be discovered with its energizing feature in its historical past, is formed naturally in the content of many plants. As soon as it is consumed, it has a strong structure that quickly mixes with the blood circulation from the intestines and thus acts very quickly. The chemical structure of caffeine, which is an alkaloid known as mateine or guaranin, was first described in 1819 by the German chemist Friedich Ferdinand Runge and entered the literature.
But there are also arguments in favor of drinking coffee after a workout: caffeine accelerates the removal of lactic acid from Caffeine; It is a naturally produced ingredient in the leaves, seeds, fruits and leaves of plants. Although it is the best known source and also the coffee bean, which is identified from its own name, it is found in different amounts in more than 60 plants. Other well-known sources of caffeine other than coffee beans; guarana, cocoa, kola nut, yerba mate (Paraguayan tea) and green tea. Therefore, all foods and beverages prepared using these plants naturally contain caffeine. Accordingly, we can list the drinks and foods that contain the most caffeine as follows:
What Are Caffeinated Drinks/Foods?
- Varieties of coffee prepared with coffee beans or guarana
- Cola varieties produced using kola nut
- Chocolate varieties produced with cocoa beans
- Paraguayan tea brewed with yerba mate
- Green tea
- All chocolate and coffee flavored foods
Is Caffeine Addictive?
As we said at the beginning of our article, caffeine is a raw material that causes some chemical changes as a stimulant that directly affects the nervous system of the body, namely the brain. Regular coffee consumption causes the brain cells stimulated by caffeine to produce more adenosine receptors, or ATP sources. The brain signals to the body that more caffeine needs to be consumed in order for this energy production to continue. If this need is not met, the receptors that become free in the body; It may show withdrawal symptoms in the body by causing symptoms such as fatigue, headache, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. From this perspective, it can be thought that caffeine may cause a nervous system-based addiction, but researchers think that it is not correct to reach a clear conclusion on this issue. Although more research is needed on caffeine addiction, it is possible to say that physical symptoms are related to the daily caffeine dose.
