Your Brain on Caffeine
Caffeine:
It is one of the most popular drugs in the world. It is one of the only drugs that is socially acceptable to consume in nearly any circumstance. This drug is caffeine, and can be only be found naturally in a number of foods: coffee, tea, and cocoa. Caffeine, an organic compound with the formula C8H10N4O2, contains Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen; four of the most prevalent atoms both on Earth and in the human body. |
Historical Uses of Caffeine:
In plants, caffeine acts as a form of protection as it resides in the leaves where its bitter taste deters would-be consumers. Humans, however, historically adopted the drug in large quantities to dispel the drowsiness associated with changing work hours during the rise of industry. Working before the sun rose and after it went down was a dramatic shift from the agrarian approach, and many reached for coffee to cope with the fatigue. Caffeine’s reputation as a stimulant also made it popular in scientific circles where laboratory procedures were often long and repetitive. Robert Boyle, the father of modern chemistry, was an ardent supporter of coffee, and drank it regularly. In some sense, caffeine may “have been the only drug in history with some responsibility for stimulating the formulation of the theoretical foundations of its own discovery” (Weinburg 216). Tony's page on coffeehouses provides further examples of the utility of coffee. Caffeine’s effect is not as simple as a quick jolt of energy, though. In the late 19th century, many consumers, including physicians, believed coffee to be healthy and even medicinal. In a book written in 1894, James Lodge claims, "It is now generally acknowledged by the medical profession that, as an all round beverage, Coffee is unsurpassed, and some say that, after dinner or supper, it is medicinally beneficial" (Lodge 12-13). Since its discovery and introduction to the rest of the world, research into caffeine is constantly producing new theories about its effect on a host of body systems.
In plants, caffeine acts as a form of protection as it resides in the leaves where its bitter taste deters would-be consumers. Humans, however, historically adopted the drug in large quantities to dispel the drowsiness associated with changing work hours during the rise of industry. Working before the sun rose and after it went down was a dramatic shift from the agrarian approach, and many reached for coffee to cope with the fatigue. Caffeine’s reputation as a stimulant also made it popular in scientific circles where laboratory procedures were often long and repetitive. Robert Boyle, the father of modern chemistry, was an ardent supporter of coffee, and drank it regularly. In some sense, caffeine may “have been the only drug in history with some responsibility for stimulating the formulation of the theoretical foundations of its own discovery” (Weinburg 216). Tony's page on coffeehouses provides further examples of the utility of coffee. Caffeine’s effect is not as simple as a quick jolt of energy, though. In the late 19th century, many consumers, including physicians, believed coffee to be healthy and even medicinal. In a book written in 1894, James Lodge claims, "It is now generally acknowledged by the medical profession that, as an all round beverage, Coffee is unsurpassed, and some say that, after dinner or supper, it is medicinally beneficial" (Lodge 12-13). Since its discovery and introduction to the rest of the world, research into caffeine is constantly producing new theories about its effect on a host of body systems.
Modern Caffeine Research:
Research into the effect of coffee consumption on the human body has produced some fantastic, and sometimes contradictory, claims. The dizzying amount of information about the health impacts of coffee stems from researchers trying to uncover the subtle, yet important effects of coffee. In a paper published last year, a study concluded that coffee “may reduce risks of degenerative diseases such as diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer” (Bakuradze et. al. 1). Before proclaiming coffee as the cure for every malady, however, it is important to note there have been a number of studies that warn about the danger of coffee. One such study analyzed data regarding caffeine intake in pregnant women. The study found a correlation between caffeine intake and low birth weight, still birth, and spontaneous abortion alongside other negative outcomes (Greenwood et. al 1). While contradictory at times, these studies show us that coffee’s impact is complex and needs to be studied further. Scientific research has progressed throughout human history, and different narratives often result. Researchers use the technology and techniques they have available to explain phenomena in the most sensible way. As technology changes and improves over time, so do the theories being studied. While what researchers conclude is important, it is also important how they come to these conclusions.
Research into the effect of coffee consumption on the human body has produced some fantastic, and sometimes contradictory, claims. The dizzying amount of information about the health impacts of coffee stems from researchers trying to uncover the subtle, yet important effects of coffee. In a paper published last year, a study concluded that coffee “may reduce risks of degenerative diseases such as diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer” (Bakuradze et. al. 1). Before proclaiming coffee as the cure for every malady, however, it is important to note there have been a number of studies that warn about the danger of coffee. One such study analyzed data regarding caffeine intake in pregnant women. The study found a correlation between caffeine intake and low birth weight, still birth, and spontaneous abortion alongside other negative outcomes (Greenwood et. al 1). While contradictory at times, these studies show us that coffee’s impact is complex and needs to be studied further. Scientific research has progressed throughout human history, and different narratives often result. Researchers use the technology and techniques they have available to explain phenomena in the most sensible way. As technology changes and improves over time, so do the theories being studied. While what researchers conclude is important, it is also important how they come to these conclusions.
Research and the Media:
Coffee has been one of the most extensively studied beverages due to its prevalence in society and its impact on everyday life. With a product as popular as coffee, however, any research is of great importance to the public. A common problem then occurs when the scientific journal is not accessible to the public. This happens in a couple different ways. First, many people are physically incapable of reading the study, as researchers often publish in scientific journals that require credentials or a subscription to access articles. Second, many of these articles are written for other scientists assuming a level of familiarity in the field and using jargon foreign to the everyday coffee consumer (Breen). Due to these barriers, it falls to the media to convey pertinent information to the public, but this process is also far from perfect. The media is a business, and as such, tries to sell their story. In the process, some scientific studies are not accurately represented and the public is misled. As an example, I searched online for the most recent story on caffeine’s effect on the body. An article from the Center for Science in the Public Interest warned mothers not to consume caffeine as studies showed that caffeine led to negative birth outcomes. I then followed their research to read the study for myself. The study did not conduct a survey, but instead analyzed previous study through meta-data analysis. In the end, although there was a correlation between caffeine and negative outcomes, the authors concluded that the studies’ biases inhibited them from recommending that expecting mothers avoid caffeine. The Center, on the other hand, used this research as evidence in a plea for the governmental regulatory committee to reduce pregnant mothers' caffeine intake from 200 mg to none. Without proper context, this claim seems dire and could easily mislead mothers trying to do the best for their children.
Coffee has been one of the most extensively studied beverages due to its prevalence in society and its impact on everyday life. With a product as popular as coffee, however, any research is of great importance to the public. A common problem then occurs when the scientific journal is not accessible to the public. This happens in a couple different ways. First, many people are physically incapable of reading the study, as researchers often publish in scientific journals that require credentials or a subscription to access articles. Second, many of these articles are written for other scientists assuming a level of familiarity in the field and using jargon foreign to the everyday coffee consumer (Breen). Due to these barriers, it falls to the media to convey pertinent information to the public, but this process is also far from perfect. The media is a business, and as such, tries to sell their story. In the process, some scientific studies are not accurately represented and the public is misled. As an example, I searched online for the most recent story on caffeine’s effect on the body. An article from the Center for Science in the Public Interest warned mothers not to consume caffeine as studies showed that caffeine led to negative birth outcomes. I then followed their research to read the study for myself. The study did not conduct a survey, but instead analyzed previous study through meta-data analysis. In the end, although there was a correlation between caffeine and negative outcomes, the authors concluded that the studies’ biases inhibited them from recommending that expecting mothers avoid caffeine. The Center, on the other hand, used this research as evidence in a plea for the governmental regulatory committee to reduce pregnant mothers' caffeine intake from 200 mg to none. Without proper context, this claim seems dire and could easily mislead mothers trying to do the best for their children.
The Importance of Research:
This study was actually the same study I cited in Modern Caffeine Research section and stands as an example of how simple it is to slightly misrepresent research to reinforce a narrative. Using words like, "correlation" and "associated" leads casual readers to infer a cause and effect relationship where one might not necessarily exist. When discussing this with Dr. Breen, a PhD organic chemistry researcher at the University of Michigan, it was clear this is not a straightforward issue; “I feel like it’s a healthy balance in both directions, we need those correlation studies if we’re ever going to find the causative agent, but at the same time we have to be responsible in how we report it” (Breen). The problem is, according to Dr. Breen, when research is poorly represented, the public loses faith in research and it is no longer a priority. Looking back through history, the story of human advancement can be told through research breakthroughs. Often forgotten in this narrative are the countless experiments that led to breakthroughs without having a great impact of their own. Professor Penner-Hahn insisted that throughout history, experiments and theories that were not successful, or even outright incorrect, still contributed to knowledge. Lodge's study of coffee in 1894 is so outdated at this point that many of his assertions are incorrect by our current understanding. Lodge's work, however, is far from worthless. These early studies push the field forward and ask new questions, which lead to new experiments and eventually discoveries. So while a study may not make the strongest conclusion or have the most attention-grabbing title, they still contribute to science and their respective field. The study of coffee composes one small corner of research, but it hails from a lineage of scientific exploration that has enabled our understanding of the world around us. It is the insistence to search for answers that will prompt new research and drive humans forward.
This study was actually the same study I cited in Modern Caffeine Research section and stands as an example of how simple it is to slightly misrepresent research to reinforce a narrative. Using words like, "correlation" and "associated" leads casual readers to infer a cause and effect relationship where one might not necessarily exist. When discussing this with Dr. Breen, a PhD organic chemistry researcher at the University of Michigan, it was clear this is not a straightforward issue; “I feel like it’s a healthy balance in both directions, we need those correlation studies if we’re ever going to find the causative agent, but at the same time we have to be responsible in how we report it” (Breen). The problem is, according to Dr. Breen, when research is poorly represented, the public loses faith in research and it is no longer a priority. Looking back through history, the story of human advancement can be told through research breakthroughs. Often forgotten in this narrative are the countless experiments that led to breakthroughs without having a great impact of their own. Professor Penner-Hahn insisted that throughout history, experiments and theories that were not successful, or even outright incorrect, still contributed to knowledge. Lodge's study of coffee in 1894 is so outdated at this point that many of his assertions are incorrect by our current understanding. Lodge's work, however, is far from worthless. These early studies push the field forward and ask new questions, which lead to new experiments and eventually discoveries. So while a study may not make the strongest conclusion or have the most attention-grabbing title, they still contribute to science and their respective field. The study of coffee composes one small corner of research, but it hails from a lineage of scientific exploration that has enabled our understanding of the world around us. It is the insistence to search for answers that will prompt new research and drive humans forward.