An overview of caffeine: The wonder molecule of non-alcoholic beverage

Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a widely used stimulants molecule that is abundantly present in tea and coffee. Caffeine in moderate doses decrease fatigue, increase alertness, acts as a stimulant and decrease appetite etc. It is prescribed to treat apnea in premature infants, headaches, colds, and allergies. Caffeine along with cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines may cause increase in heart as side effect, increase jitteriness and arouse anxiety and contradict the effects of blood pressure medications. Caffeine in large quantities has some negative effect. Orally taken caffeine is completely absorbed into the bloodstream after ingestion and is metabolized within 2.5 to 4.5 hours. Liver is the site for caffeine metabolism and 98% of it is reabsorbed after glomerular filtration. Caffeine has similar structure to adenosine and thus blocks its activity to temporarily relief drowsiness. So, consumption of caffeine in small amount is beneficial for human body.