| In this article you will learn some simple nutrition | | | | individuals who are habitual caffeine drinkers. The |
| facts about alcohol, antioxidants, caffeine and | | | | most prominent symptom is headache. Other |
| calcium. | | | | withdrawal symptoms may include: |
| Too much alcohol can raise the levels of fats in | | | | Anxiety |
| the blood, lead to high blood pressure, heart failure | | | | Fatigue |
| and increased calories. Too many calories lead to | | | | Drowsiness |
| obesity and a higher risk of developing diabetes. | | | | Depression |
| Excessive and binge drinking can lead to stroke. | | | | Although many studies show there is a direct link |
| The American Heart Association recommends if | | | | between caffeine, coffee drinking and coronary |
| you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Moderation | | | | heart disease, the results are conflicting. |
| means an average of one to two drinks per day | | | | Calcium |
| for men and one drink per day for women. A | | | | To help reduce the risk of developing the bone |
| drink is equivalent to 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, | | | | disease osteoporosis most physicians encourage |
| 1.5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof | | | | women to eat fat-free and low-fat dairy products |
| spirits. Drinking more than this increases all the | | | | to get calcium. |
| health risks as noted above. In addition, it is not | | | | The American Heart Association recommends |
| possible to predict in which people alcoholism will | | | | women should aim to consume between 1,000 |
| become a problem. The American Heart | | | | and 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Excellent |
| Association cautions people not to start drinking if | | | | sources of calcium include: |
| they do not already drink alcohol. | | | | Fat-free milk |
| Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any | | | | Low-fat dairy products |
| form; it can harm the baby seriously. | | | | Other sources of calcium include: |
| Antioxidant vitamins | | | | Eating vegetable greens like spinach, kale and |
| There has been a lot of research recently | | | | broccoli |
| focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce | | | | Some legumes and soybean products |
| cardiovascular disease risk. The data is incomplete; | | | | To date, scientists do not have enough |
| however, up to 30 percent of Americans are | | | | information to know if calcium intake affects the |
| taking some form of antioxidant supplement. | | | | risk of developing cardiovascular disease. |
| The American Heart Association does not | | | | Adequate daily intake according to data from the |
| recommend people using antioxidant vitamin | | | | National Academy of Sciences, Institute of |
| supplements until more complete data is available. | | | | Medicine includes: |
| They recommend people eat a variety of | | | | 210 mg for infants from birth to 6 months, 270 |
| nutrient-rich foods daily from all the basic food | | | | mg for age 6 months to 1 year |
| groups. Eat a variety of foods low in saturated | | | | 500 mg for children age 1-3; 800 mg for ages 4-8 |
| fat, trans fat and cholesterol to provide a natural | | | | 1,300 mg for children and adolescents age 9-18 |
| source of these vitamins, minerals and fiber. | | | | 1,000 mg for adults ages 19-50 (for maximal |
| Caffeine | | | | calcium retention) |
| The metabolic effects of caffeine include: | | | | 1,200 mg for adults ages 51 and older |
| Stimulates the central nervous system | | | | 1300 mg for women who are pregnant and under |
| Releases free fatty acids from adipose (fatty) | | | | age 19; 1000 mg for pregnant women ages 19-50 |
| tissue | | | | Source: American Heart Association |
| Affects the kidneys by increasing urination, which | | | | Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, |
| can lead to dehydration | | | | treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These |
| Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, | | | | statements have not been evaluated by the Food |
| chocolate and some nuts. | | | | and Drug Administration. Always consult with your |
| The American Heart Association says moderate | | | | health care provider about any kind of a health |
| coffee drinking (1-2 cups per day does not seem | | | | problem and especially before beginning any kind |
| to be harmful. | | | | of an exercise routine. |
| Caffeine withdrawal symptoms may occur 12 to | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource |
| 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine in | | | | box. Article written 4-2007. |