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Pharmacological Effects of Caffeine and Sugar
Individuals often dont understand what theyre putting into their body. People will
look at a nutritional label and mainly identify how many calories they are about to
consume and how much fat is in the product. Nutrition is much more than calories and
fat. Caffeine, for instance, is a crystalline compound and a stimulant of the central
nervous system. Considering caffeine is a stimulant, it blocks adenosine; a
neurotransmitter that causes a calming effect on the body. The resulting neural
stimulation due to this blockage causes the adrenal glands to release adrenaline.
Adrenaline is a hormone that is secreted in times of stress or strong emotion; heart rate
increases, pupils dilate, muscles tighten up, and glucose is released into the
bloodstream for extra energy. Caffeine also increases dopamine which activates
pleasure in parts of the brain. In comparison, sugar is any class of soluble, crystalline,
generally sweet tasting carbohydrates, found in living tissues. Glucose is essential to
the human body in moderate amounts and can be metabolized by almost every cell.
Both caffeine and sugar come from plants and have specific effects on the body.
Studies show that consuming as little as a half a cup of coffee per day can result
in a physical dependence of caffeine. Physical dependence can also be referred to as
addiction; addiction results in withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include
nervousness, headaches, increased stress, insomnia, and exhaustion. This drug is
almost unavoidable which has people, especially americans, becoming addicted.
Caffeine increases stress levels on our bodies. Our bodies are put into a continuous
state of stress without rest and then exhaustion consumes us. A perception is created
that caffeine is required to keep us going when it actually does the complete opposite.
Aside from stress, caffeine acts as a diuretic which leads to dehydration. Many people
consume caffeine through drinking sodas. Carbonated water, which is in soda, is an
additional diuretic. This frequent consumption of caffeine ends up multiplying withdrawal
symptoms. Addicts believe the only resolution is to consume more of the drug.
Sugar is also nearly unavoidable. Its put into soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports
drinks. Sugar withdrawal symptoms include mood instability, fatigue, and cravings. The
Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that sugar can affect the pumping
mechanism of the heart which can increase the risk for heart failure. Individuals with

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high blood sugar can experience polyuria or frequent urination. High blood sugar relates
to diabetes. When insulin is ineffective, the kidneys cannot filter glucose back to the
blood. The kidneys become overwhelmed and try to draw extra water out of the blood to
dilute the glucose. Also, polydipsia and polyphagia may occur. Polydipsia is frequent
thirst and polyphagia is frequent hunger. Excessive thirst can be caused by the
dehydration from urinating. Becoming addicted to an adrenaline pumping drug as well
as a sweet substance can be easy yet harmful; this harm can lead to overdose.
Caffeine and sugar overdose occur when one drinks more than the
recommended amount. Although studies suggest a half a cup of coffee can lead to
caffeine addiction, 200mg-300mg of caffeine per day is a moderate amount. A moderate
amount of sugar intake can remain slightly higher ranging from 25-35g per day. For
example, a basic 16oz Starbucks coffee alone has around 330mg of caffeine in it and
0g of sugar. A 2oz Five Hour Energy shot has 200mg of caffeine in it and 0g of sugar;
Five Hour Energy shots are said to be taken up to three times a day which could easily
put a person into caffeine overdose. A 12oz McDonalds Frappe contains 100mg of
caffeine but 57g of sugar. Thankfully, there are several ways to wean a person off of
caffeine. If a person is a coffee addict, they should start by replacing a few cups of
coffee with tea; tea has less caffeine in it and puts the body into a calming state. Once
they have mastered that, they can start replacing tea with juices and water. Juice,
without added sugar, gives the body natural energy which can make it easier to reach
for one less caffeinated beverage per day. Drinking water can help detoxify the body
from caffeine. Also, eating healthy snacks can stabilize blood sugar levels and keep one
awake. Increasing vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin-C, Vitamin B3, B-Complex,
Calcium, Magnesium and Amino Acids is extremely important to helping with withdrawal
symptoms.
To treat a serious overdose, the caffeine must get out of the bodys system.
Activated charcoal may be given to the patient, which is a common remedy for drug
overdose. It can prevent the caffeine from going into the gastrointestinal tract. If the
caffeine has already entered the gastrointestinal tract, a laxative can wash the contents
out of the stomach. During this time, the heart will be monitored through an EKG,
breathing support may be necessary.

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Caffeine and sugar have an emotional effect on the body which eventually leads
to physical effects. Which is worse, the sugar or the caffeine? The caffeine essentially
raises blood pressure and causes short term effects. The sugar leads to chronic
diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and potential heart failure. In most cases however,
sugar and caffeine come in combinations making it easier to become addicted. This
combination of caffeine with sugar speeds up the process of these lifelong diseases.
The overall factor is to understand whats going into your body and how to know that
enough is enough.










Works Cited
"Caffeine and Sugar: Why These Energy Boosters Are Poor Substitutes for Sleep."-
Healthy Happy. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.

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"Caffeine Facts: Addiction, Insomnia, Pregnancy Effects, and More." WebMD. WebMD,
n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.
"Sugar Addiction Slideshow: Symptoms, Cravings, Detox, and Diet Tips." WebMD.
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"Death by Caffeine." Death by Caffeine. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine>.
"Caffeine overdose: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of
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Facts and Fiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013. <http://www.energyfiend.com/caffeine-
overdose-facts-and-fiction>.
"Nutrition." Starbucks Coffee Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.starbucks.com/menu/nutrition>.