ABSTRACT
The universal consumption of coffee, tea, and soft drinks has generated much scientific interest in the distribution and fate of their methylxanthine components, and particularly caffeine. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the mechanism and significance of the chromosomal aberrations produced by caffeine and other methylxanthines. The literature relating consumption of caffeine-containing beverages and health effects on the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems is extensive. It has been suggested, in particular, that coffee and caffeine may be involved in arrhythmias, hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and fibrocystic breast disease. Coffee/caffeine consumption over a range of moderate to high intakes has been reported to increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Studies of coffee/caffeine consumption and metabolism of the calcium suggest that small but measurable increased urinary calcium loss may occur in women whose dietary calcium is insufficient.
