PASSAGE 2: Caffeine and Your Health By Halie Rogers

Those who use caffeine regularly may be physically dependent on it. However, it does not affect social or physical health the way other addictive drugs do.
Caffeine boosts energy and has several benefits. However, there are dangers to ingesting too much caffeine. There are also concerns about what caffeine can do to one’s health.

Negative Health Effects

Although many sources publish the benefits of caffeine, there are some drawbacks. According to the Mayo Clinic, too much caffeine can cause many problems. The Mayo Clinic says that about four cups of coffee daily (400 milligrams of caffeine) is safe. After that, people may notice both mild and serious side effects. Some side effects can include insomnia, headaches, or nervousness. More serious side effects can include a racing heartbeat or tremors in the muscles.

There are certain medications that react adversely with caffeine. For example, several different cold medications react with caffeine. Taking the two together may cause heart problems. Other medications can become ineffective when also using caffeine.

Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it actually speeds up the need to urinate. This, in turn, causes dehydration. Additionally, caffeine decreases the absorption of calcium. This affects bone health, and this can cause problems in older people due to bone loss.

Dependency

Because caffeine is a drug, it can also become addictive. People who have tried to wean themselves off of it know about the resulting headaches. Those who try to quit caffeine altogether can experience nausea and extreme fatigue. Even more, caffeine withdrawal is actually labeled as a mental disorder.

Caffeine affects the brain by blocking certain receptors and releasing other stimulants (like adrenaline). This creates a feeling of alertness and energy for a few hours. When people stop using caffeine, these feelings also stop. People who continue to use caffeine daily actually alter their brains. Their brain cells grow more receptors. Eventually they become resistant to the caffeine. Thus, the addiction to crave more caffeine increases and may become a problem.

Alternatives

For those who believe that caffeine has too many negative health benefits, there are alternatives. Protein can cause people to enjoy longer energy spurts without the use of caffeine. By snacking on nuts or beans, people can enjoy the energetic benefits of protein. For those who are trying to cut down caffeine a little at a time, they can try green tea or decaffeinated coffee. One more alternative is to try vitamin B12 since it is said to maintain energy levels. Foods like crab, roast beef, and cheese all contain this vitamin. Any of these alternatives can help people slowly step away from caffeine.2. Which ONE statement below should NOT be included in a summary of Passage 2?

ACaffeine is the most addictive of all drugs.
BMedications can react with caffeine.
CCaffeine can have negative health effects for certain people.
DThere are many alternatives to caffeine.