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How Fast Is Caffeine Absorbed by the Body?
Caffeine is a mind-altering drug common in foods and beverages. While most people are familiar with the buzz and alert feelings that immediately follow a cup of coffee, not everyone understand the complex biological reactions that caffeine causes in the body. Caffeine is absorbed in the body very quickly, and can have an immediate effect on your central nervous system.
Caffeine and the Body
Caffeine is quickly absorbed into the body and is immediately distributed to the brain, according to Medline Plus. Unlike some chemicals, caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream or other parts of the body, but is instead excreted in urine within a few hours of consumption. As caffeine passes through the brain, signals are sent to the adrenal glands that cause them to pump stress hormones through your body in the imitation of a fight-or-flight response.
- Caffeine is quickly absorbed into the body and is immediately distributed to the brain, according to Medline Plus.
- Unlike some chemicals, caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream or other parts of the body, but is instead excreted in urine within a few hours of consumption.
Speed
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Determining an exact speed or time for caffeine absorption is difficult due to individual factors such as age, body weight, caffeine sensitivity and diet. However, according to the ABC website, women metabolize caffeine at a rate 20 to 30 percent quicker than men. As your blood transfers the caffeine from your gastrointestinal tract to your brain, it increases your total metabolic rate, reaching its maximum concentration within an hour of consuming.
Effects
Although caffeine is widely available in products ranging from sodas to chocolate and coffee, the Teen’s Health website recommends capping your dosage to 300 milligrams a day 2. As caffeine begins to stimulate your central nervous system, feelings of awareness, energy and elevated mood can often occur, followed by a crash of low energy and tiredness. Due to its addictive properties, caffeine can form dependencies and addictions in individuals who consume as little 100 milligrams a day, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, irritability and headaches.
- Although caffeine is widely available in products ranging from sodas to chocolate and coffee, the Teen’s Health website recommends capping your dosage to 300 milligrams a day 2.
- Due to its addictive properties, caffeine can form dependencies and addictions in individuals who consume as little 100 milligrams a day, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, irritability and headaches.
Safety Concern
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Reduce your risk of negative symptoms by limiting your caffeine intake, and never drinking caffeinated beverages on an empty stomach. If you feel that you may be dependent on caffeine, talk to your doctor about healthy alternatives to your eating and drinking habits.
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References
- MedlinePlus; Caffeine in the diet; May 2 2009
- Teen's Health: Caffeine
- Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR. Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda. J Caffeine Res. 2013;3(3):114-130. doi:10.1089/jcr.2013.0016
- Richards G, Smith AP. A Review of Energy Drinks and Mental Health, with a Focus on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression. J Caffeine Res. 2016;6(2):49-63. doi:10.1089/jcr.2015.0033
- Brunyé TT, Mahoney CR, Rapp DN, Ditman T, Taylor HA. Caffeine enhances real-world language processing: evidence from a proofreading task. J Exp Psychol Appl. 2012;18(1):95-108. doi:10.1037/a0025851
- Koppelstaetter F, Poeppel TD, Siedentopf CM, et al. Caffeine and cognition in functional magnetic resonance imaging. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20 Suppl 1:S71-84. doi:10.3233/JAD-2010-1417
- Harrell PT, Juliano LM. Caffeine expectancies influence the subjective and behavioral effects of caffeine. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2009;207(2):335-42. doi:10.1007/s00213-009-1658-5
- Lucas M, O'reilly EJ, Pan A, et al. Coffee, caffeine, and risk of completed suicide: results from three prospective cohorts of American adults. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2014;15(5):377-86. doi:10.3109/15622975.2013.795243
- Abdel-Hady H, Nasef N, Shabaan AE, Nour I. Caffeine therapy in preterm infants. World J Clin Pediatr. 2015;4(4):81-93. doi:10.5409/wjcp.v4.i4.81
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th edition. Washington DC; 2013.
- Turnbull D, Rodricks JV, Mariano GF, Chowdhury F. Caffeine and cardiovascular health. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2017;89:165-185. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.07.025
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol and Caffeine. Updated October 23, 2018.
- Alsunni AA. Energy Drink Consumption: Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2015;9(4):468-474.
- Lyngsø J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Bay B, Ingerslev HJ, Hulman A, Kesmodel US. Association between coffee or caffeine consumption and fecundity and fertility: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Clin Epidemiol. 2017;9:699-719. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S146496
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pure and Highly Concentrated Caffeine. Updated September 21, 2018.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Updated July 2018.
Writer Bio
Based in the Appalachian Mountains, Brian Connolly is a certified nutritionist and has been writing professionally since 2000. He is a licensed yoga and martial arts instructor whose work regularly appears in “Metabolism,” “Verve” and publications throughout the East Coast. Connolly holds advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina, Asheville and the University of Virginia.