Study shows coffee drinkers could be harmed by long-term caffeine use

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The statistics prove it – Americans need their coffee.\nAlmost 70 percent of Americans said they were hooked on coffee, based on a 2006 survey conducted by the National Coffee Association. \n“Oh, I’m totally addicted (to coffee). If I don’t have coffee, my head hurts and I can’t function,” said Ohio State University junior Bethany King. \nWhile numerous benefits exist for college students drinking coffee, there are also possible consequences for those who do not drink in moderation, as caffeine has been linked to lumps in the breast and low levels of calcium. \nReasons for dependence on coffee vary. \nKing said she became used to drinking several cups of coffee a day when she was involved in numerous extracurricular activities in high school. \n“The way my classes are scheduled, it’s not convenient to stop and get food, but it is convenient to stop and grab a cup of coffee,” said OSU senior Nikki Woeckener, who drinks two cups of coffee to keep from growing too hungry during the school day. \nThat extra “boost” comes from caffeine found in the coffee. If coffee does not exactly pleasure the taste buds, sodas, teas, energy drinks and a whole host of other caffeinated products can satisfy caffeine cravings. \n“Caffeine has a chemical structure similar to adenosine, a chemical found in the brain,” said Maureen Geraghty, a registered dietitian and assistant professor in the Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions. \n“Adenosine naturally slows down activity in the brain. Caffeine locks the receptors usually used for adenosine. This competition means the brain is not slowed down as much,” Geraghty said. \nThe average American adult drinks about 200 milligrams of caffeine a day, Geraghty said. Six ounces of coffee (not even a cup) brewed at home contain 103 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine takes about 30 to 60 minutes to reach peak concentration in the blood stream, and effects take four to six hours to wear off. \nIt is hard not to notice the benefits of moderate caffeine consumption. WebMD reports that caffeine can improve memory, decrease fatigue and improve mental functioning. More than that, coffee drinking may help prevent Parkinson’s disease and type-2 diabetes. \nIt is important to realize that while caffeine may offer these benefits, there is a downside to ingesting too much. King is certainly aware of this. \n“I actually had to have surgery. There were a couple of lumps in my breast (the doctors) thought were breast cancer, but when they went in they found out the lumps were actually caused by caffeine,” King said. \nGeraghty confirmed the correlation between caffeine and fibrocystic breast disease, as well as some other health problems people can encounter. \n“Caffeine can also make you jittery, and if you have heart disease or hypertension, coffee is certainly not good because it will increase your heart rate. At around 300 to 400 milligrams of caffeine intake, which isn’t very hard to do, it increases urinary calcium excretion, which is bad for women. Once your body is used to caffeine, you can also experience withdrawal symptoms when you don’t have any, such as headaches and dizziness.” \nFor those who are worried about their caffeine intake, but can’t function without something to keep them awake, Geraghty offered some alternatives. \n“Obviously, the best alternative is to just get some extra sleep,” she said. “Working out is also a great alternative, even just a brisk 10 or 15 minute walk.”