Let's understand more about Caffeine

Coffee is one of the most favourite beverages around the world. Every variable of coffee from Instant coffee to signature blend is widely consumed by people from various parts of the world. From Instant Coffee to Signature Blend, in each kind of coffee, caffeine remains an integral component. Though tea and coffee both consist of caffeine, however, most people identify caffeine only with coffee. The history of caffeine dates back to the 18th century where it was first identified in kappabase. In this article, we will talk about some detailed information about caffeine.

Caffeine in the form of coffee is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug in the world. Almost all of us are quite familiar with the effects of caffeine but what exactly is caffeine. Why is it produced by the plant and is it good for us? Well, the answer is yes, a certain amount of caffeine does wonder for the human body. Most people associate caffeine with coffee and of course, it is known for being an integral component of coffee.

Natural Occurrence:-

Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 plants. But the biochemical mechanisms and pathways followed by these plants to develop caffeine are entirely different. This process is termed convergent evolution. Apart from its major occurrence in coffee plants, it also occurs in chocolate, kola, nuts and guarana seeds and also in the flowers of citrus plants. It is interesting to note here that plants produce caffeine primarily as a pesticide. It deters insects from attacking or eating the plant due to its bitter taste. At the same time, caffeine is also toxic to some herbivore insects.

Caffeine and human beings:-

Human consumption of caffeine dates back to 3000 BC. It started with the consumption of tea. The exact beginning of coffee consumption is a little difficult to be traced due to many stories doing rounds around the same. However, one fact which is for sure in the middle of the 15th century, consumption of coffee had started in Yemen and its surrounding areas. People started liking coffee for the stimulating properties present in it due to caffeine. It has many positive impacts on organs such as the brain, heart and liver. Caffeine is also capable of preventing the chances of developing many lethal diseases such as Alzehimer, Parkinson's etc. It also prevents cardiac arrest, high BP. Being a stimulant it helps you to stay awake for a longer duration of time.

Interesting fact about Caffeine:-

Various studies have shown that caffeine can improve the memory of bees. This helps bees to form a stronger association with the smell of the coffee flower. Therefore in many citrus fruit flowers, often the quantity of caffeine found is very less.

Conclusion:-

We all relate caffeine only to coffee, however, it is also present in tea gram by gram. Caffeine is a major stimulant which when taken in appropriate quantities is highly beneficial for the human body. Thanks to tea and coffee caffeine is consumed so widely all throughout the world.