Is Caffeine Free of Risk

Cocoa was already known in Mexico as early as 1500 BC. Christopher Columbus brought the plant to Europe after his fourth American voyage in 1502, but the drink made from cocoa was first tasted only in 1528 by Spanish conquistador Heman Cortes. Chocolate drink first appeared in Spain in 1544, cocoa trade began between Seville and Veracruz in 1585. Therefore, caffeine in cocoa made its first European appearance before caffeine from coffee or tea did (Fig. 2.35). 

The main growing areas of coffee and cocoa shifted from their native lands as history moved on. Today, most coffee is grown in central and South America, whereas cocoa is mainly farmed in Western Africa (Ivory Coast alone is the origin of one third of all the cocoa on Earth). The annual world production is about 7.8 milhon t for coffee, and 4.1 million t for cocoa. Coffee trade is worth 7 billion a year, which ranks as number four after coal, oil and cereal grains. 

The cultivation of all three plants has had major effects on the economies of the producing countries. Monocultures of plants in West Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and Brazil played a decisive role in history and many of the current social and economic problems originated in the age when plantations were founded. 

The dominating active ingredients in the three plants are xanthine alkaloids caffeine, theobromine and theophylline (Fig. 2.36). Raw coffee contains 0.9-1.4% (Arabica) or 1.5-2.6% (Robusta) of caffeine. Tea leaves contain 3.2 % of caffeine, but the different preparation method results in about half as much caffeine in the drink compared to coffee. The main active ingredient of cocoa is theobromine, there is only 0.2% caffeine in it, but this small amount is still responsible for the stimulating effect. 

Caffeine is one of the most studied substances in science. It stimulates the central nervous system it counteracts adenosine in the brain, thereby inhibiting its effect causing a feeling sleepiness. Caffeine also increases the level of adrenaline (a hormone) and dopamine (a neurotransmitter). Caffeine, contrary to some beliefs, does not wake people up, it only inhibits the effects of adenosine, increases the rate of heartbeat, dilates certain blood vessels and narrows some others, and makes it easier for muscles to contract. Caffeine also boosts pattern separation memory in humans. In addition to this general stimulating action, side effects may include irritability, nervousness, headache or insomnia, especially if unreasonably high amounts are consumed. Caffeine has been linked to a number of negative effects as well (heart, liver and kidney disease, cancer, osteoporosis, ulcers. 

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