- What is it for
- How to take
- Possible side effects
- Who should not use
- How Caffeine Works
- Other sources of caffeine
Caffeine in capsules is a dietary supplement, which serves as a brain stimulant, great for improving performance during studies and work, in addition to being widely used by practitioners of physical activities and athletes, for activating the metabolism and providing disposition.
In addition, caffeine in capsules stimulates weight loss, because the accelerated metabolism causes the body to spend more energy and increase fat burning.
This supplement can be purchased in pharmacies, food supplement stores or natural products, and its price varies between about R $ 30.00 to R $ 150.00, as it depends on the dose of caffeine, the brand of the product and the store that sells.
What is it for
The use of caffeine in capsules has the following effects:
- Improves the performance of physical activity, and postpones the appearance of fatigue; Increases muscle strength and endurance. See how drinking coffee before training improves performance; Improves mood, stimulating mood and well-being; Increases the agility and speed of information processing; Improves breathing, by stimulating airway dilation; It facilitates weight loss, as it has a thermogenic effect, which speeds up metabolism and fat burning, in addition to decreasing appetite.
In order for caffeine to have better weight loss effects, the ideal is that it is associated with the practice of physical activities and a balanced diet, rich in vegetables and lean meat, and low in fat, fried foods and sugars. Check out some detox juice recipes to increase metabolism and detoxify the body.
How to take
The maximum recommended safe consumption is about 400mg of caffeine per day, or 6mg per pound of a person's weight. Thus, up to 2 caffeine capsules of 200 mg or 1 of 400 mg per day, for example, can be used.
Its use can be divided into 1 or 2 daily portions, preferably after breakfast and after lunch. It can also be used in the afternoon before physical activity, but should be avoided at night, as it can disrupt rest and sleep.
It is also recommended to consume the caffeine capsule after a meal, to reduce stomach irritation.
Possible side effects
The side effects of caffeine stem from brain stimulation, which causes irritability, agitation, insomnia, dizziness, tremors and an accelerated heartbeat. It can also have an irritating effect on the stomach and intestine, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Caffeine causes tolerance, so increasing doses may be needed to cause the same effect over time. In addition, it also causes physical dependence, as some people who consume daily may experience withdrawal symptoms when their use is stopped, such as headache, tiredness and irritability. These effects take 2 days to 1 week to disappear, and can be avoided if caffeine is not used on a daily basis.
Who should not use
Caffeine in capsules is contraindicated for people with caffeine allergy, children, pregnant women, breastfeeding, and in people with high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart disease or stomach ulcers.
Caffeine use should be avoided by people who suffer from insomnia, anxiety, migraine, tinnitus and labyrinthitis, as it can worsen symptoms.
In addition, people who use MAOI antidepressants, such as Phenelzine, Pargyline, Seleginine, Iproniazid, Isocarboxazide and Tranylcypromine, for example, should avoid high doses of caffeine, as there may be an association of effects that cause high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.
How Caffeine Works
Caffeine is a methylxanthine, that is, a substance that has direct action on the brain, and acts by blocking the adenosine receptors, which is a neuromodulator that accumulates in the brain throughout the day and causes tiredness and sleep. By blocking adenosine, caffeine increases the release of neurotransmitters, such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, which causes its stimulating effect.
When ingested, caffeine is absorbed quickly by the gastrointestinal tract, reaching a peak of concentration in the blood in about 15 to 45 minutes, and has an action of about 3 to 8 hours in the body, which varies according to presentation formula and other capsule components.
Purified caffeine is found in the form of anhydrous caffeine, or methylxanthine, which is more concentrated and can have more potent effects.
Other sources of caffeine
In addition to the capsules, caffeine can be found in several ways, such as in the coffee itself, in energy drinks or concentrated in the form of powder. So, to get the equivalent of 400mg of caffeine, you need about 4 cups of fresh, 225ml coffee.
In addition, other methylxanthines, such as theophylline and theobromine, which have the same effect as caffeine, can also be found in teas, such as green tea and black tea, in cocoa, in energy drinks and in cola drinks. To find out how much caffeine is in each food, check out caffeine-rich foods.
