How Does Caffeine Affect Fatigue

Known as a plant alkaloid, caffeine is among the famous addictive drugs in America due to its arousing effect on the nervous system. This certainly means that countless Americans would be taking this drug in considerable amounts on daily basis. However, of late, many discussions are going on its negative effects on health of which one is believed to be alleviated energy levels.

Facing mix reactions, these discussions have revealed the fact that caffeine leads to fatigue, especially adrenal fatigue. If you are a consumer of this drug, you seriously need to know more about this in detail! Therefore, keep reading…

What Is The Role Of Adrenal Glands

Dwelling over the kidneys in the shape of beans, the adrenal glands belong to the endocrine system and are responsive to stress as well as nutritional chemicals, which have an impact on the hormonal secretions. These glands give off many hormones that control the production of energy, stress levels, as well as immune functions. Moreover, the adrenal medulla is the producer of adrenalin and noradrenalin that are essential for regulating the energy levels and stress. According to the experts, caffeine has the power to over-excite the glands due to which extra amounts of hormones circulate and result in adrenal fatigue.

How Caffeine Triggers Adrenal Fatigue

When one consumes caffeine via coffee, chocolate, or tea, the drug curbs the functions of a neurotransmitter called adenosine in the brain. The adenosine chemical is responsible for sleepiness, which binds to its receptors on the brain cells triggering fatigue due to decelerated cell activity. However, when caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream in just 15 minutes, it takes away these adenosine binding receptors, which results in high brain activity, more mental alertness, and consequently decreased fatigue, but for a temporary period, as per the Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects Of Human Nutrition.

Such a curbing does not boost any kind of energy metabolism. The excessive brain activity activates the pituitary gland to notify the adrenal glands to produce more adrenalin as well as cortisol. This stimulation of stress hormones is called caffeinism that induces fatigue, mild depression, and anxiety, as per the Biochemistry of Human Nutrition. If the person is taking caffeine daily, the adrenal glands experience severe fatigue after one or two months, as caffeine forces them to secrete the stress hormones even if they cannot give much to the body.

Due to this, the condition of adrenal fatigue or adrenal exhaustion triggers, which results in high anxiety, extreme fatigue, sugar cravings, shaking tongue, dark circles under eyes, disturbed sleep cycles, palpitations, low blood pressure, decreased immunity, inflammation, and headaches.

What Experts Say

According to Dr. Lam, caffeine has the power to make the adrenal fatigue patient addictive. In addition, this drug can disturb sleep as well as make recovery from adrenal fatigue difficult. This is why the healthcare professionals suggest avoiding caffeine, especially if you are a patient of this disorder. Most experts recommend having herbal teas without caffeine as a treatment for adrenal fatigue. According to a nutritional researcher, David Tolson, green tea has fewer quantities of caffeine and that its theanine ingredient reverses the caffeine effects on the glands.