Many people enjoy having significant amounts of caffeine beverages like cola, chocolate, tea and coffee because they elevate blood glucose. It also stimulates the central nervous system and changes both the mood and behaviour. We have read about the health benefits of coffee on ‘health benefits of coffee’. Also read how it can reduce the risk of diabetes on 'coffee and diabetes'.

However, it also has its health effects. Worryingly, children are drinking higher amounts of caffeine every day which will adversely change their behaviour. Let us have a detailed look at the health effects below!

1) Coffee and the effects on Pregnancy

Pregnant women are advised not to consume too much caffeine because of its health effects on pregnancy. This also includes coffee, soft drinks, tea, chocolate and energy drinks. During the first few weeks, it is fine to have a few cups of coffee in a while but not exceeding 300mg which is equivalent to 3 regular sized cups. Once the pregnancy progresses for a few months, it can start interfering with your child and the health effects are more noticeable.

Caffeine causes reduced blood flow to the placenta. As it crosses the placenta and is metabolized by the baby, it can damage the baby’s cells. Other health problems include stillbirth, low birth weight babies and fast heart and breathing rates for both the mother and the child.

2) Coffee ruins sleeping patterns

One common health effect of coffee is that it interrupts with our sleeping patterns and increases nerve activity. After taking a cup of coffee, the caffeine causes three chemical reactions in the body. These include:

• A pumping of the hormone Adrenaline into our systems

• Increases dopamine levels

• Blocks the connection of adenosine to nerve cells

In a normal state of sleep, the chemical adenosine binds with adenosine receptors in the brain. Once they bind, the nerve cells slow down which causes drowsiness. However, after consuming caffeine, the beverage binds to the adenosine receptors without slowing down the cells activity. Instead, the cells start speeding up.

3) Coffee Increases Blood Pressure

Coffee can increase your blood pressure for a short period of time because of the caffeine content. Only a few cups of coffee can raise both the systolic and diastolic pressures by 3-13 mm Hg. There might be many reasons why this occurs. Some think caffeine blocks a hormone which helps widen arteries while others think the adrenal gland releases more adrenaline which causes higher blood pressure.

For those who already have high blood pressure, it is advised that they stay away from any caffeine beverages or reduce the amount they consume. Fortunately, it is just temporary and will shortly return to normal.

Conclusion

To gain its health benefits, it is best that you consume only a few cups of coffee a week rather than excessively drinking too much every day. This will avoid you from being attacked by health effects while you enjoy the great taste.

For more helpful reading, please read articles about disadvantages of Facebook, most venomous animals, most beautiful women, ways to save money on a tight budget, health benefits of oranges and reasons not to spank children.