KEY FACTS ON CAFFEINE
• Caffeine is a stimulant which occurs naturally in tea leaves and other plants like kola, coffee bean and cocoa pods among others. • It has no nutritional value. Hence, the body system does not primarily need it to perform any of its function. • According to research, it is known that Caffeine relaxes the muscles separating the Esophagus from the stomach. The result of this action is an increase in stomach acid up to the esophagus,thereby leading in ‘heartburn’. • A study conducted in 1980 by the US Food& Drug Administration discovered that one out of every five newborn rats had a birth defect or disability due to the administration of caffeine to its mother. This indicates that caffeine should be avoided by pregnant mothers. • Caffeine is said to react in the body like Cocaine. However, caffeine is legal while cocaine is not. Why? A big question. • Caffeine is among the list of restricted drugs by the International Olympics Committee due to its stimulating effec...