 Caffeine interrupts our daily sleeping patterns by
altering the chemical reactions in our brain.
An addictive drug that 90% of Americans consume every day,
caffeine prevents us from dozing by increasing nerve activity
in our bodies-keeping us alert and hyperactive.
After drinking a hot cup of caffeinated coffee, the
caffeine causes three different chemical reactions that boost
our energy levels:
It energizes us by pumping the hormone
adrenaline into our systems.
It increases dopaminelevels within our bodies.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates our
"pleasure areas" in our brain making us feel good.
It blocks the connection of adenosine to nerve
cells. Adenosine is the chemical that attaches to receptors in
the brain and causes drowsiness by slowing down nerve cells
activity.
The addictive and mood altering effects caused by caffeine
consumption has had an increasing impact on the soft drink
industry. Over the past 25 years, the amount of soda consumed
by Americans has doubled. For instance, Americans spent
billion on 15 billion gallons of soda in 1998.
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