Caffeine is a primary ingredient in DynaPep energy shots and most of the energy drinks on the market today. It is well-known to have a physical effect on the body, based on the amount consumed. It is absorbed easily into the bloodstream and causes a stimulation of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. In most cases, caffeine’s effect hits its peak about an hour after ingestion and can influence your heart, metabolic and respiratory rates for several hours after.
Research studies conducted by public universities and private institutions have studied the effects of caffeine on the human body. While there is still some debate regarding some of the results, a significant amount of clarity has been achieved that can help clear up many misconceptions we have about caffeine.
Heart Health: While excessive use can still cause problems, moderate levels of caffeine consumption has shown no negative effect on cardiovascular health.1
Bone Health: Caffeine usage does not have an adverse affect on how the human body processes calcium, which is critical to maintaining healthy bones. Initial studies pointed to this being a possibility, but no concrete evidence has been found to support this claim.2
Carcinogens and Cancer: Extensive testing has shown that caffeine does not cause – or complicate – cases of breast cancer or intestinal cancer. There are still ongoing studies that are focused on the effects of caffeine on urinary bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer, but initial studies point to moderate usage not having any adverse affects on those strains of cancer either3,4.
Natal and Prenatal Health: While moderate consumption levels have shown no ill effects on a woman’s ability to conceive, significantly higher levels of consumption have shown the potential to delay conception and increase the chances of low birth weight babies.5,6
Physical competition: Professional trainers have known for years that caffeinated energy beverages and energy shots have the ability to improve physical performance, though the particular chemical mechanism in caffeine that increases endurance and speed is still being researched.7
Next month, we’ll break down the positive and negative effects that Ginseng – a staple of the energy drink community – has on the human body.
1 Food Insight Fact Sheet on Caffeine and Heart Health
2 European Food Information Council report: “Myths and Facts About Caffeine”
3 WebMD Report “Health Benefits of Coffee”
4 Science Daily Report “Coffee May Protect Against Breast Cancer”
5 Central Health entry “Caffeine, Conception and Pregnancy”
6 American Pregnancy Organization report “What’s the Real Scoop on Caffeine During Pregnancy?”
7 Rice University Report “Caffeine and the athlete”