MANY people can't start their day until they've had a drink containing caffeine, such as tea or coffee, or eaten a bar of chocolate. Teenagers usually get most of their caffeine from soft drinks and energy drinks. Many people are just as addicted to caffeine as they are to nicotine. Mankind consumes 12,000 tonnes of caffeine annually. The hazards of caffeine were discussed in a lecture delivered by Dr Magdi Badran, an Egyptian immunologist and a fellow of the Childhood Institute, Ain Shams University in Cairo. Although it was cold and it just happened to coincide with Egypt's thrilling match against Ghana in the African Cup of final, a lot of people of different ages turned up for the lecture. “Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, chocolate and sweets,” said Dr Badran, adding that 65 per cent of fizzy drinks sold globally contain caffeine. A cup of coffee contains 110mg of caffeine and a cup of tea 60mg. Green tea contains 35mg, chocolate 50mg and a can of energy drink 80 to120mg. "Caffeine is naturally produced in the leaves and seeds of many plants as a white substance which is alkaloid. It is activated in the brain, making hormone in the brain called adenosine that urges people to go to sleep,” he added. Sleep is essential for the human body. People should sleep for eight hours every night, but if they drink a lot of coffee or tea they can't get to sleep and become tense. Their heartbeat increases and their concentration is impaired, Dr Badran commented. Drinking a lot of tea or coffee may lead to hypertension, lowered immunity, diabetes, lack of sleep and obesity. “Leptin, a hormone responsible for appetite control, is reduced by caffeine, making people feel hungry, so they eat more and get fat," Dr Badran said, warning that pregnant women may miscarry if they have too much caffeine. “Avoiding caffeine is a cheap method for preventing diabetes complications. Meanwhile, energy drinks that contain caffeine can destroy the liver and kidney and make people stressful. “Young people don't need energy drinks ��" they have plenty of energy as it is!” According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), global production of coffee will probably increase this year to seven million tonnes, he added. People consume far more coffee in developing countries than they do in Western countries, because the latter are aware of the dangers. Coffee, known as gold beans or black gold, was, tradition has it, discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd who noticed that his sheep became more active after eating coffee plants. In the 15th century AD, Sufis in Aden, Yemen drank coffee so they could stay awake and therefore pray longer. Coffee came to Egypt in the 16th century. It reached Turkey soon after that, where it was called Arab wine, according to Dr Badran. Ancient Egyptians drank carob drinks that helped people with digestive problems and coughs. “Carob has become widespread in Western societies as an alternativ to caffeine drinks, as it contains a lot of fibre, vitamin A and calcium. It boosts the immune system and also protects the body against cancer. Carob contains plenty of protein, magnesium, phosphor and iron,” he continued. Cardamom has the ability to neutralise the effect of caffeine. In South Asia, green cardamom is used to treat infections in the teeth and gums, as well as throat complaints. Sugarcane is a natural energy drink. It helps people with depression strengthens the bones, as well as easing the digestion. It is also a diuretic. The whole world is now drinking sugarcane, including Australia which imports it from China.
