ABSTRACT
Name: caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) Use: most widely used stimulant in the world Source: coffee, tea, cola and other soft drinks, chocolate Recommended daily intake: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
advised pregnant women to “avoid caffeine-containing foods and drugs, if possible, or consume them only sparingly”
Absorption: rapid following oral consumption Sensitive individuals: fetus, children, some adults Toxicity/symptoms: high dose – agitation, tremors; withdrawal – headache Regulatory facts: GRAS (generally recognized as safe)
General facts: long history of use Related xanthines – theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthin) and theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine)
Environmental: contaminates sewage discharge
Caffeine industry
The coffee and cola industries owe their wealth to the physiological properties of the drug caffeine.
