Caffeine: Benefits, Risks and Effects-A Review

Abstract

Caffeine, the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive drug is a central nervous system(CNS) stimulantof the methylxanthine class. It is a white crystalline purine, a methylxanthine alkaloid which is bitter in taste.Caffeine is structurally related to the adenine and guanine bases of DNA and RNA. It is found in the nuts,seeds or leaves of a number of plants native to East Asia, Africa, and South America, and its natural functionis to prevent germination of nearby seeds and to protect them against predator insects. Caffeine can haveboth positive and negative impact on human health. It can be used to treat and prevent the premature infantbreathing disorders such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia of prematurity and apnea of prematurity. Caffeinecitrate is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines which confers a modest protective effect againstsome diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is classified by the US FDA as generally recognizedas safe(GRAS). Toxic doses are over 10 gm/day for an adult, which are much higher than the typical doseof under 500 mg/day. However, pure powdered caffeine, available as a dietary supplement, can be lethal intablespoon-sized amounts. In this review article, we discuss about the health benefits and adverse effects ofcaffeine along with its future prospects.