Caffeine: friend or foe? Experts brew up answers

According to the International Food Information Council, the average adult consumes approximately 200 milligrams of caffeine daily — about two to three cups of coffee.

Since this legal drug is so widely consumed, I had a few caffeine-related questions for the experts. Q: Is there any reason we shouldn't drink/eat caffeine?

A: Most studies agree that a moderate amount — 300 milligrams a day — is safe for most adults.

According to Michael F. Jacobson, of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "The biggest concern is that caffeine may interfere with reproduction. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid caffeine."

However, Dr. Jonathan Scher, a New York City obstetrician, doesn't believe pregnant women have to give up coffee completely. "Caffeine does cross the placenta to the baby, but it is believed that only very large amounts of caffeine may have harmful effects."

There are, however, other reasons to avoid caffeine: It increases anxiety and can induce panic attacks.

Q: Will caffeine interfere with my sleep cycle?

A: According to Dr. Herbert L. Muncie Jr., professor of family medicine at Louisiana State University, caffeine can affect your ability to fall asleep but not your actual sleep cycle.

Q: Does caffeine enhance performance during exercise or physical activity?

A: According to Lieberman, "There is good evidence that caffeine will improve your athletic performance." In a lab, a low to moderate caffeine intake (two to three cups of coffee) has been shown to improve the performance of well-trained athletes, so a little coffee might just give you an edge.

A: "Studies have shown that caffeine does not improve memory, though it can enhance sustained attention, particularly for repetitive or monotonous tasks," says Lorenzo Stafford, a caffeine researcher and professor of psychology at the University of Portsmouth, UK.

Q: Does caffeine help you lose weight?

A: It may play a minor role in increasing metabolic rates in first-time users, but its effects become muted through chronic use, according to Muncie.

Q: What are some of the most important health benefits of caffeine?

A: It turns out that a morning cup of java may improve cognitive functions — including learning aptitude, decision-making ability and attention span. Lieberman studied Navy Seals during their "hell-week" training and found that caffeine resulted in significant differences in performance on cognitive tests.

Q: Is drinking coffee a good way to sober up if you're drunk?

A: No. "What you get is a hyperactive drunk person."

Charles Stuart Platkin is a nutrition and public health advocate, author of the best seller "Breaking the Pattern" (Plume, 2005) and founder of Integrated Wellness Solutions. Copyright 2005, by Charles Stuart Platkin.