Caffeine is a natural alkaloid and is the main ingredient of coffee. It is the most common stimulant, which also causes dependence. That’s why so many people feel they cannot function if they don’t drink their morning cup of coffee. Caffeine affects the secretion of adrenaline and thus acts as a stimulant and raises the level of energy. People who often drink coffee feel tired, weak, and have headaches if they miss their cup of coffee in the morning. Caffeine also may have other negative effects, such as increasing blood pressure. Coffee has a greater effect on people who metabolize caffeine more slowly. The reason for this is that our genetic makeup, which determines the activity of the enzyme CYP1A2, is important for the metabolism of caffeine. The aforementioned enzyme doesn’t work adequately in some people, so the daily dose of coffee has to be adapted to this deficiency.
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