A cup of strong tea contains roughly 50 mg of caffeine, that of coffee 100 mg (smaller but still substantial amounts of caffeine are present in chocolate and cola drinks). Pharmacological effects become significant with doses exceeding 200 mg . caffeine has been implicated as a cause in one or more of the following conditions: anxiety, insomnia, restlessness (including restless leg syndrome), irritability, panic attack, depression, cardiovascular problems, palpitations, muscle tremors, withdrawal headaches, indigestion, diarrhoea, urinary problems (especially frequent urination), PMS, painful, lumpy breasts and perspiration problems, in addition, caffeine causes a change in brain wave pattern leading to a poorer quality of sleep with fewer periods of deep sleep.
If you suffer from any of these problems it is best to cut out caffeine-containing drinks and foods completely and to drink decaffeinated varieties or herbal tea substitutes ( rooibos or chicory). Decaffeinated coffee may still cause indigestion.
However, there are beneficial effects related to caffeine which partly explain the widespread popularity of tea and coffee. Caffeine significantly improves mental performance, mood and physical endurance. (it is in fact, far superior to many of the drugs banned in sporting events). It also dilates the bronchial tubes – a beneficial effect for asthmatics. Despite its caffeine contents, tea, especially unfermented green tea, has a high flavonoid content and is associated with a whole range of health benefit.
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