Description of Substance

Caffeine is a popular, readily available drug stimulant found in coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate products, colas and some medications such as cold remedies, headache relievers, diuretics and weight control aids (Health Canada, 2003).

Prevalence of Use

Total ingestion of a 400 mg to 450mg is usually considered a safe level for adults. On average a safe level is two to three cups per day includes all caffeine containing beverages (Public Health Dietitians/Nutritionists, 1994).

Some of the affects noted are can make you feel aware and alert, keep you awake at night and in the short term increase your blood pressure (Health Canada, 2003) and can act as a diuretic to cause you to urinate within an hour following consumption(Health Canada, 2003).

Since our genetic make-up is different caffeine can affect some people differently. Small amounts of caffeine can have drastically strong affects on people where as over time the body has less effect (Health Canada, 2003).

Created by: Gloria Baptiste