National Nursing Review : Nursing Study Resources & Health Tips

Caffeine is a substance which belongs to the family of methylxanthines. Caffeine is a psychostimulant whose main effect of increasing the heart rate after a few minutes and then cause a sensation of awakening. This feeling is manifested by a blockage of adenosine receptors, neurotransmitter inhibitor. The caffeine is largely consumed in the world as coffee and cola drinks.

Caffeinated drinks

The effects of caffeine on short-term health:
(With a low dose of caffeine)

• Caffeine causes vasodilation.
• Effects in the cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
• Action at the level of skeletal muscle, renal blood flow, in glycogenolysis and lipolysis.
• Contraction of blood vessels, where its properties of anti-migraine.
• Stimulates intellectual work, promotes wakefulness.
• Bronchitis.
• A higher metabolic rate.
• An increase in tension.
• Increased frequency of urination.
• A rise in body temperature.
• A reduction in the duration of sleep.
• Stimulation of gastric acid secretion.
• Reduces appetite, aids digestion.
• Stimulation of secretion of bile from the gallbladder.
• Stimulation of secretion of pancreatic juice.
• Stimulation of the secretion of stomach acid gastric juice.
• Onset of diarrhea.

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