Caffeine Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Caffeine - Research Paper Example This means that caffeine has both positive and negative effects, the paper will concentrate on the history of caffeine, the advantages and disadvantages and the types of caffeine. Caffeine is a crystalline alkaloid which is usually white in color and is derived from tea or coffee. It exists in a group of compounds known as Xanthine. According to Smith (2009), it is also classified together with amphetamines and cocaine as a nervous system stimulant or an analeptic. Coffee is known worldwide as the biggest source of caffeine. Even though caffeine is also in cola beverages, cocoa, tea and in prescription medications coffee remains to be the only plant with the highest concentration of caffeine. Caffeine just like other drugs stimulates brain functions and excessive consumption can lead to overwhelming effects. This means that caffeine has both positive and negative effects, the paper will concentrate on the history of caffeine, the advantages and disadvantages and the types of caffeine. Caffeine has been used all around the world for countries. Each nation has its own source and story about caffeine. However, most research finding indicates that Ethiopia was the first source of coffee (Wessells, 2001). There was a folk story that was passed on from one generation to another about coffee. The story was that there was once a farmer who changed his goat’s grazing area and after moving the animals to the new grazing area he found out that the animals were now more restless.After noting the restlessness he began watching the animals every day. He realized that they were feeding on small berries these berries were coffee. Later on these berries we dried and referred to as coffee beans. The first time caffeine was ever extracted in Cocoa beans was in 1820, by Friedrich Ferdinand, a German scientist who was able to extract caffeine in its purest form. Currently, caffeine extracted has numerous purposes such