To Brew Or Not To Brew

Continued...

A regular, heavy user of caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks or products like No-Doz may feel some withdrawal symptoms when she stops consuming. These symptoms include headaches, fatigue, drowsiness, nausea, irritability and a watery nasal discharge.

At certain concentrations, caffeine is considered a banned substance and can be cause for disqualification from NCAA and Olympic competition. You would have to ingest more than 500 mg of caffeine (about four cups of coffee) over one to two hours to reach the banned level.

Caffeine does seem to raise the blood levels of free fatty acids in regular users as well as in someone who consumes after having abstained. A theory many runners go by is that a cup or two of coffee before their workout will release fatty acids into their bloodstream, allowing them to convert more fat to energy and conserve carbohydrates during a long workout. However, the effect may wear off for people who have developed a tolerance.

Caffeine is a diuretic, increasing water and sodium excretion, resulting in dehydration, an effect any athlete would be wise to avoid. You can counteract the diuretic effect by drinking more noncaffeine fluids, but exercising with a full bladder or stomach may be uncomfortable.

Two early studies indicated a relationship between caffeine consumption and fibrocystic breast disease. However these studies were lacking in appropriate controls and their scientific validity has been seriously questioned by more recent research. These studies indicate a decrease in both breast tenderness and thickening of the breast in some women with fibrocystic breast disease who eliminated caffeine. So while there is no indication that caffeine consumption causes fibrocystic breast disease, eliminating its use may be helpful in reducing some of the symptoms.

There is still no indication of any link between caffeine and breast cancer or any other form of cancer. There is no evidence that it causes birth defects, but the FDA still recommends that pregnant women limit caffeine intake.

There is no evidence that caffeine causes hardening of the fat cells or changes in fatty tissue. While caffeine has been used to try to reduce appetite and increase metabolic rate, its effects are short-lived and a chronic user doesn't show any benefit or permanent weight reduction.

The bottom line is moderation. If you enjoy one to two cups of coffee a day, it may have benefits and it won't cause long term problems.

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About the authors: Carol L. Otis, M.D., is Chief Medical Advisor to the Sanex WTA and a UCLA student health physician. Roger Goldingay is a former professional soccer player. They are married and the co-authors of The Athletic Woman's Survival Guide.

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