Probl Hig Epidemiol 2012, 93(1): 8-13pl

Caffeine. Part I. Common use of caffeine and its effect on human organism

Halina Bojarowicz ^1/, Małgorzata Przygoda ^2/

1/ Pracownia Technologii i Formy Kosmetyku, Katedra Technologii Postaci Leku, Wydział Farmaceutyczny Collegium Medicum im. Ludwika Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy, Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu
2/ absolwentka Wydziału Farmaceutycznego Collegium Medicum UMK

Summary
The caffeine is the purine alkaloid, which occurs naturally in leaves of the tea shrub and Paraguayan holly mate, in coffee and cocoa beans and in more than 60 different species of plants. It has been consumed for ages in the form of coffee, tea or chocolate. There are many medicines including pure caffeine, and it often a supplement of soft and energy drinks. Caffeine is one of the most widespread psychoactive substances in the world. The commonness of use and easy accessibility is related to the fact that usually no attention is paid to physiology, pharmacology, clinical effects and possible complications after caffeine consumption.
The broad spectrum of effects of caffeine on human organism was introduced in Part I of this research paper, including possible adverse reactions. The main attention was focused on caffeine effect on humans depending on their age.

Key words:  caffeine, coffee, theine, tea, metabolism of caffeine, effect of caffeine