CAFFEINE
BRIDGHIDANNE KELLY
NOVEMBER 25, 2011
RESEARCH PAPER
GRADE 8
FORMAL OUTLINE
I.
Introduction
a. Recognition of Caffeine
i. Who
ii. When
II.
First Paragraph
a. Uses of Caffeine in the Past
i. Discovery
ii. Social Uses
iii. Energy Uses
III.
Second Paragraph
a. Uses of Caffeine Today
i. Medical Uses
IV.
Third Paragraph
a. Advantages of Caffeine
i. Physical Advantages
ii. Psychological Advantages
iii. Health Advantages
V.
Fourth Paragraph
a. Disadvantages of Caffeine
i. Sleeping Disadvantages
ii. Psychological Disadvantages
iii. Physical Disadvantages
VI.
Conclusion
a. Moderation
i. Caffeine is Safe in Moderation
Ninety percent of the world’s population consumes caffeine on a daily basis making it the
most widely used drug today (Blachford, 58). It is consumed via the coffee bean, tea leaf and the
cocoa bean. It was first identified as the stimulant in coffee in 1819, by researcher and chemist
Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Because of his interest in
science, Goethe asked Runge to find out what gave coffee its stimulant effects. Runge researched
the properties found in coffee using paper chromatography and after a short period of time
identified a crystalline white powder with a bitter taste, and named it caffeine (Klostermen, 1112). Caffeinated drinks have played a role in cultures around the world in a way that somewhat
unites us.
Caffeine is an ancient drug which dates back in use well before people even knew what
it was. Although historians cannot agree coffee, the most popular caffeinated drink, can be
traced back to the 1400’s in the Islamic community. A man by the name of Dhabhani brought it
back from a trip to Africa and shared it with his people. They used it socially and to enhance
their energy levels for prayer (Klostermen, 13). Other plants that have the stimulant property of
caffeine are guarana and mate. For the most part these are unheard of, but both of these have
been around for a very long time. Mate, for example, is an extremely popular drink in South
America still today (Klostermen, 24-25).
Caffeine has been used as a drug as long as it has been used as a social drink. Over time
scientists have used caffeine in researching medical treatments. Historically and today, caffeine
has been used to treat heart problems, poisonous bites, headaches, and asthma (Antol, 61).
Another important use that is being used and still being researched today is the use and
effectiveness of caffeine therapy in premature infants (Nordqvist).
There are numerous advantages to having caffeine in your body’s system. In general, it
makes you more alert physically, and psychologically. It takes away drowsiness, helps you focus
better, it improves your body coordination, and it makes your thought process faster and for the
most part, clearer. In an overall study it has been found that caffeine may actually decrease your
risk of getting cancer. It is proven that caffeine lowers the risk of suicide, depression,
cardiovascular disease, and as long as it is consumed in small amounts, it can also help anxiety.
Many people look at caffeine as a hazardous drug, but in moderation the advantages mentioned
above showcase the positive aspects of caffeine (MvEvoy, 2046-2047).
No harm is seen for people who intake up to one hundred milligrams of caffeine per day,
but going above that may become dangerous (Blachford, 58). On average, consuming one cup of
coffee produced by the drip method has about one hundred and fifteen milligrams of caffeine,
and needless to say most people consume more than that in a day. Caffeine may prove to be a
disadvantage to your sleeping schedule, as it can cause disruptions in you patterns of sleep. It can
take longer to fall asleep, make your time of sleeping shorter, make you move more in your
sleep, and it could even make you awaken easier. Consuming the right amount caffeine can
improve coordination; however, over stepping that amount may deteriorate it. Another negative
affect is anxiety, which could be caused or made worse by caffeine. If you have an unhealthy
intake, you may become addicted, and after that the effects will worsen. In caffeine intoxication,
many people experience symptoms that would usually occur when abusing stimulants (McEvoy,
2046-2047).
In conclusion, your caffeine intake is just like the rest of your diet: it is safe when
consumed in moderation. If you do keep that in mind, it may prove to have very positive effects
on your health. On the other hand, when you pass the limit, you are putting yourself at risk for
many health problems. So, if you ever need to do a whole project in one night, have a cup of
coffee or two, but try not to let it happen too often.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Antol, Marie. (2002). Confessions of a Coffee Bean: The Complete Guide to Coffee
Cuisine. Garden City Park: Square One Publishers.

Blachford, Stacey. (2003). Drugs and Controlled Substances: Information for Students.
Formington Hills: Gale and Design, Thomson Learning.

Klosterman, Lorrie. (2007). Drugs: The Facts About Caffeine. Tarrytown: Marshall
Cavendish Corporation.

McEvoy, Gerald, Pharm.D (Ed). (1999). American Hospital Formulary Service: Drug
Information. Bethsada: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.

Nordqvist, C. (2006, May 20). “Caffeine Therapy Helps Premature Babies Breathe Better”.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/43764.php.