What is Caffeine?

THE ORIGINS OF CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a molecule found in the leaves, seeds or fruits of several plants. The best known? The coffee cherry!  Discovered in 1819 by the German chemist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge, the molecule was named “Kaffein” as a chemical compound in coffee, and became the word we know today: “caffeine”.  Extracted from the seeds of the coffee tree, it is chemically identical to guaranin (extracted from guarana seeds), matein (contained in mate leaves) and theine (found in tea). It is therefore one and the same molecule, with the gross formula C8H10N4O2, with the same effects. Only the source changes!

HOW LONG HAS CAFFEINE BEEN CONSUMED?

People have been consuming caffeine since the Stone Age.  It is known that the first peoples chewed the seeds, bark or roots of certain plants to temporarily reduce tiredness, or improve mood. Popular legend attributes the discovery of coffee (and its effects) to a goat herder named Kaldi. He observed that his goats became euphoric and stayed awake all night after grazing on the leaves and fruits of coffee trees. When he tried the berries that the goats had eaten, he felt the same vitality.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE?

Its benefits

Caffeine is believed to have many benefits. In humans, it acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. It helps to reduce drowsiness or feelings of fatigue and to increase attention. Caffeine has short-lived effects, as it does not accumulate in the body. However, some people may be more sensitive to it than others. Pregnant women in particular are recommended to consume half as much caffeine in a day as a normal adult. We will see a little later how much can be consumed per day without risk.  It should be noted that caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. In North America, for example, 90% of adults use it daily. The UK coffee market is mature: 98 million cups are consumed every day. As we have just seen, the caffeine contained in coffee has several benefits. But it also presents risks if we consume too much.

Its risks

Consuming this small molecule on a daily basis can have positive effects on our vitality or level of attention. However, too much caffeine can have undesirable effects on the body. 

• Sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty in concentrating or increased heart rate are known effects that can occur in the short term. 
• The risk of cardiovascular disease or delayed development of the foetus in pregnant women are effects that can occur in the long term.

How much caffeine can you consume per day?

So how much caffeine is recommended for an adult?  The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) recommends not exceeding 400 mg/day for a healthy adult, the equivalent of 3 cups of coffee. This dosage should not exceed 200 mg for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS IN A COFFEE?

One thing you should know is that the caffeine content of coffee can vary considerably depending on the type of coffee bean, the different species of coffee plant and the method of preparation of the drink. Even beans from the same plant can differ in concentration depending on their position on the tree. So which coffee contains the most caffeine? This can depend on the type of coffee and the amount of coffee. For example, the amount in a cup of Arabica coffee is about 40 mg for a 30 ml espresso, but about 90 mg for a 200 ml cup of filter coffee. Heavily roasted coffee (like an Italian coffee) generally contains less, as roasting reduces the caffeine content. Finally, Arabica normally contains less caffeine than Robusta (0.8 to 1.7% of the weight of the berry, compared to 1.5 to 4%). In summary, if you wish to consume coffee during the day, it is recommended that you do not exceed 5 espressos or 4 large cups of filter coffee per day, and this before 3pm, to avoid experiencing stimulating effects too late in the day.

IS THERE CAFFEINE IN OTHER DRINKS?

As we have seen above, this small molecule is present in many plants. This is why other drinks contain it: tea, some soft drinks and energy drinks, cocoa, etc. By way of comparison, a 220 ml cup of black tea contains 50 mg of caffeine (compared with 90 mg for filter coffee), while green tea contains less than black coffee, around 70 mg.  It is interesting to know that tea contains more caffeine than coffee for the same weight. However, as generally less tea than coffee is used to prepare a cup, the proportion of caffeine is lower.  Chocolate drinks or chocolate contain rather anecdotal amounts of caffeine if consumed in moderation.  Soft drinks and energy drinks can contain up to 120 mg of caffeine per litre.

You now know a little more about this small molecule contained in your coffee! By respecting the recommended daily doses, you can continue to enjoy your morning, lunch or break coffee. At MaxiCoffee, we offer a wide range of coffee: coffee beans, ground coffee, capsules and pods, instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee… Don’t hesitate to visit our website to find what you are looking for.