Caffeine | Anhydrous caffeine

Caffeine | Anhydrous caffeine

Properties: Caffeine can be found in many beverages used worldwide. Due to its stimulating effects, it is presently one of the most often consumed substances – and a psychoactive one! Statistically speaking, every human on this planet drinks one cup of coffee a day. However, not all strains of coffee contain equal proportions of caffeine. Interestingly enough, they might even contain compounds that inhibit its stimulating effects. But first, why don’t we have a closer look at caffeine and its effects.

In the morning, a cup of coffee helps us to get up and become active fairly quickly. This is mainly due to two reasons. First off, 99% of pure caffeine is absorbed from our intestines. Secondly, it stimulates the natural activity of dopamine (a neurotransmitter responsible for our motivation level) as well as acetylcholine that determines the speed of information processing. Therefore, an optimal dose of caffeine helps us to stay goal-oriented and focused on the task at hand. What is more, it also influences the receptors of adenosine, thereby eliminating the feeling of drowsiness caused by this neurotransmitter. 

Caffeine has lipolitic properties: it acts strongly against the process of lipogenesis (in which fat tissue is created and stored) and stimulates the process of lipolysis (ie. fat metabolism). Thus, it prevents storing lipids in tissues. Therefore, it helps to reduce fat tissue and cellulitis, tones the shape of face, cheeks, and chin. What is more, it strengthens the skin that lacks elasticity and helps to reduce discoloration around the eyes including puffiness and dark spots under them. Additionally, caffeine exhibits drainage properties. That is why it is often used in slimming, firming and anti-cellulite cosmetics, as well as creams for skin care around the eyes. Besides that, caffeine stimulates the growth of hair. For this reason, it is often used in cosmetics designed for hair care.

Noteworthy, caffeine has quite a lot of other beneficial properties, which are, however, not so widely acknowledged. For example, it has been scientifically proven that caffeine can quickly – roughly in less than 30 minutes – raise the physical performance level and the speed of metabolism. For these reasons it is often supplemented by sportsmen. What is more, people who wish to lose some extra pounds are also very much welcome to take caffeine. As it turns out, this compound not only improves metabolism, but also limits fat tissue build up while accelerating fat burning.

Last but not least, since pure caffeine has a plethora of positive effects on the skin, it might come in handy for the fans of DYI who like to produce homemade cosmetics. Caffeine has lipolitic properties: it acts strongly against the process of lipogenesis (in which fat tissue is created and stored) and stimulates the process of lipolysis (ie. fat metabolism). Thus, it prevents storing lipids in tissues. Therefore, it helps to reduce fat tissue and cellulitis, tones the shape of face, cheeks, and chin. What is more, it strengthens the skin that lacks elasticity and helps to reduce discoloration around the eyes including puffiness and dark spots under them. Additionally, caffeine exhibits drainage properties. That is why it is often used in slimming, firming and anti-cellulite cosmetics, as well as creams for skin care around the eyes. Besides that, caffeine stimulates the growth of hair. For this reason it is often used in cosmetics designed for hair care.

Occurrence: Caffeine is present in over 60 plant species. Typical sources of caffeine are: Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica), Congolese coffee or Robusta (Coffea canephora), Chinese tea (Camellia sinensis), true cocoa (Theobroma cacao), Brazilian linseed also known as Guarana (Paulinia guarana), glossy cola (Cola nitida) and the Paraguayan holly, commonly known as Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis). This alkaloid is also a constituent of soft drinks such as Coca-cola and energizers like Red Bull. It can be found in chocolate too.

Biochemistry: Caffeine is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of purine alkaloids. It is a derivative of xantin. Structurally, it resembles the nucleic bases included in the DNA and RNA chain – adenine and guanine. Bioavailability of caffeine in the organism reaches up to 99%. After administration, it is metabolized in the liver to three dimethylxanthines: paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline. It easily crosses biological membranes, including the brain-blood barrier. In the central nervous system, it predominantly affects the functioning of adenosine. However, it also impacts the activity of serotonin, and levels of other neurotransmitters, including: dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, as well as acetylcholine.

Fun fact: Caffeine has many names, depending on its source. If it’s obtained from the seeds of coffee, it’s called caffeine; if from tea leaves – teine; if from Guarana berries – guaranine; and if from Yerba Mate leaves – mateine.