Coffee is one of the things I can’t live without. I admit it, I wake up in the morning and the first thing that lightens my day is that first sip of fresh, steaming coffee.

Every thing feels better all of a sudden. I regain my vitality and begin a new day. I do not know what I would do without my morning coffee. I am not a morning person, I hate waking yup in the morning and this feeling hasn’t gone away during the years. But coffee helps me start fresh every day and puts a smile on my face.

Caffeine is the key ingredient of coffee. I t can also be found in several other drinks such as Coca-Cola, energy drinks, tea , Mountain Dew, diet coke and so on. But what is exactly caffeine? Are there any healthy effects of caffeine or is it just bad for one’s health? This has been a long disputed debate and like in many others, both sides did quite a good job of stating their case.

Caffeine is actually a naturally occurring substance which nowadays is considered the most commonly used psychoactive drug. The word “caffeine” originates in the French word “café” and the German word “kaffee” which both mean coffee. Caffeine is found in the seeds, plants or fruits of more than 63 plants encountered all over the world.

More than 80 percent of the world’s population daily consumes caffeine, under one form or another, so we must ask ourselves what are the healthy effects of caffeine, if any, and is it indeed addictive? Or is it just its’ special flavor that draws us to consume it day after day?

The issue of caffeine addiction is another reason for debate. Those who support the idea that caffeine is addictive have shown the results of a study made on people. When not given the daily amount of caffeine, they experienced depressed moods, tiredness, headaches, difficulty concentrating. On the other hand, caffeine supporters have proven that it is in fact the special taste, flavor and aroma of caffeine drinks that draws us to consume them daily.

But what are the healthy effects of caffeine? Are there any? Caffeine is considered a temporary stimulant to daily fatigue and helps people get through long working days. Studies have shown that caffeine may improve logical thinking and memory.

Coffee, chocolate and tea, which are caffeine-containing drinks, contain antioxidants which benefit the health of the heart and fight against cancer. Asthma patients have been treated using caffeine for years. Nowadays researchers have discovered that coffee drinkers have 80 percent less chances to develop Parkinson’s. Caffeine also reduces the risk of diabetes and colon cancer.

All in all, if consumed in normal quantities, caffeine can do more good to one’s health than it can damage it. So, drink up!