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Caffeine
As most users are aware, the caffeine in coffee, tea, cocoa and cola
drinks acts as a stimulant. What most users do not know is that, depending
on the strength, there is usually more caffeine in tea than in coffee.
Caffeine acts on the body to increase alertness, increase the rate at
which the body metabolises (burns) food, and increase urine production.
In large doses, it may produce headache, irritability, insomnia, psychiatric
conditions and stomach upsets, and it can aggravate diabetes, heart disease,
depression and anxiety disorders. If taken before going to bed, a short,
less restful sleep can be expected. People who have any of the foregoing
conditions should limit their caffeine intake.
There are some connections between moderate to large doses of caffeine
and problems such as miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth in pregnancy.
Pregnant women should therefore limit themselves to two to four cups of
tea, coffee or cola a day.
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