In today's jet set world where most of us have multiple roles, responsibilities and commitments, stress in inevitable. Coffee, to a lot of us seems to be that one companion, that helps us wake up and fight the 'fatigue monster'. The debate between caffeine addicts and health freaks, who stay away from it, is unending.

What is caffeine?
Caffeine is the most popular drug throughout the world for a couple of reasons- it is stimulant to the central nervous system as it decreases the time taken by our mind to respond to something, thus increasing mental efficiency. It also increases the heart rate and impacts our breathing process positively by relaxing the air passage in the respiratory system. It is also a diuretic output and delays fatigue.

How much is safe?
Caffeine in right doses is not detrimental to our body's functioning. Healthy adults, with no medical issues, can consume upto 300 to 400 mg of caffeine – approximately 3 cups of coffee per day. Whereas, some people are very sensitive to caffeine. Even one cup of coffee can hamper their sleep pattern.
Regular caffeine consumption reduces sensitivity to caffeine and a higher intake is needed to produce the same effects.
Caffeine is not meant for children under 12 years of age. But since teenagers undergo a constant brain development process, they should ideally keep their coffee consumption under 100 mg per day. Also, pregnant women and nursing mothers must consume a little caffeine as possible- a maximum of 200 mg per day- to prevent a negative effect on the developing foetus or the infant.