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Are Certain Sources of Caffeine Better Than Others?

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Caffeine is the possibly the most widely used stimulant in the world. Those who drink it get the same effects they would from an adrenaline rush, without the intense exercise that the rush normally requires. Its effects on exercise are also well known, so much so that the International Olympic Committee tests for caffeine's presence in its athletes. Caffeine increases endurance and blood circulation, boosts the body's ability to handle short intense bouts of activity and aids in concentration. While there are those who worry about the long term effects of caffeine, studies have found no significant health hazard from normal levels of consumption, though people who are pregnant, have an iron deficiency or high blood pressure should avoid high levels of ingestion.

Not all sources of caffeine are created equal. Sure, most energy drinks contain a lot, but they can also deliver a ton of calories via all the sugar the manufacturer has put in the can with the caffeine. A large coffee by itself has very few calories, but if you add a tablespoon each of half and half and sugar, "very few" jumps up by 68 calories.

Black Tea

Simply known as "tea" to 90% of the population of Europe and the US, is one of the healthiest sources of caffeine in the world, especially if you brew it yourself and leave out the spoonful of sugar. A cup of black tea is a significant source of healthy antioxidants, helps lower stress hormones, and has been show to lower a person's bad cholesterol levels. Green Tea, from which black tea is made, offers many of the same benefits.

Coffee

Coffee is one of the most efficient delivery vehicles for caffeine, and healthy, as long as you limit what you add to it. A five-ounce cup of coffee contains almost twice as much caffeine as a teabag, and some of its health effects are directly due to that higher dose. Coffee also contains antioxidants, and may help increase your insulin sensitivity. Its bitter taste is thought to help prevent cavities. Coffee seems to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, and helps in treating asthma as well as headaches.

Pain Relievers

Speaking of headaches, pain relievers are a surprising source of caffeine. Excedrin contains 65 milligrams in each pill. Midol contains almost as much caffeine per pill, and Bayer slightly more. That's almost half a cup of coffee per pill, though obviously these should be taken in limited amounts, and for pain relief rather than for the caffeine within them.

Guarana

Guarana is found in many energy drinks and is also available as a health supplement. A guarana seed contains about twice as much caffeine as a coffee bean. Historically it's been used as a stimulant and an appetite suppressant. However, it has not been evaluated by the federal Food and Drug Administration for safety, effectiveness or purity, and its long term benefits and disadvantages are at present more rumored than actually known, so it might be best to stick with one of the better known sources of caffeine.

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