If you start your day with coffee, tea, or diet coke, You start your day with caffeine Some people swear they can't start their day without it In fact, according to researchers from John Hopkins Medical Center Around ninety-percent of Americans consume caffeine daily. Caffeine is a stimulant found in beverages Such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks And in chocolates Caffeine also comes in medicines Either as part of painkillers or stimulants It is even a natural pesticide Killing insects unfortunate enough to order a Grande latte Caffeine could be considered the only legal psychoactive drug in the country Because less than a cup of coffee Is enough to alter your mood As little as 30 milligrams of caffeine The equivalent to half a cup of coffee Is enough to make you more alert. The average American consumes nine times that Or around 280 milligrams of caffeine daily That is almost 4 cups of coffee Just 100 milligrams a day Is enough for a person to be dependent on it Just because it may be addictive, doesn't mean it's bad We are addicted to lots of things Food, water, air, reality television Some of them are necessary for life However, as with lots of great substances Too much of it can cause harm Caffeine has its benefits and drawbacks Let's find out what they are First, caffeine will make you alert Just cup of a cup of coffee Is enough to significantly improve Your alertness and attentiveness Some studies suggest that long-term consumption of caffeine May even slow down cognitive decline Second, caffeine may reduce the risk of stroke Lower the risk of diabetes, and decrease fat Third, it may help endurance athletes By reducing perceived pain And helping use fat as fuel Finally, a low dose of caffeine with painkillers Can reduce headache. The caffeine in the medication also helps reduce The probability of getting addicted to the painkiller Of course caffeine isn't always kittens and roses Sometimes it's kittens in roses Caffeine can make you jittery Over 400 milligrams a day or 6 to 7 cups of coffee Can lead to insomnia, nervousness, irritability Stomach upset, fast heartbeat, tremors and restlessness One to three cups a day May increase hypertension or blood pressure Additionally, it may inhibit insulin And increase your risk of type two diabetes Didn't I just say that it improves insulin sensitivity? Oops that may be from other ingredients found in coffee It can disrupt your sleep Leading to a myriad of health issues Finally, and yes shockingly, it can be addictive Caffeine may be a wonder brew or a cursed potion As with all substances, moderation may be the answer So weigh on these pros and cons before ordering that Next cup of jo