When it comes to food and drink, caffeine is an enigmatic substance -- a bit of the angel and the devil. Food expert Stephanie Zinser has studied the sometimes surprising ways it can affect our health.
Caffeine can increase the heart beat and raise blood pressure -- and cause palpitations. Caffeine also has the ability to relieve certain types of headache and can reinforce the effect of aspirin.
Zinser says that in small amounts, the drug can help digestion because it helps stimulate the production of stomach acids. But too much and it causes pain and nausea, making it a "risk factor" for gastritis and peptic ulcers, "and those prone to heartburn should avoid it."
Caffeine is particularly popular in cola form for people who are physically active, she says, because it dilates blood vessels, improves strength and endurance, helps prevent tiredness and assists in muscular coordination. But it also can dehydrate the skin, leaving it dry and itchy.
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