1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine, also popularly known as caffeine, is considered one of the most important dietary supplements and is naturally found in tea, coffee, cocoa beverages, and chocolates.
Caffeine plays a vital role qwith various bodily functions, especially with losing weight, maintaining alertness, and enhancing the ability to carry out our physical and mental workouts.
Reported Effects
1) Improves mental alertness.
2) Burns fat and controls weight.
3) Boosts mental power and re-energizes the body.
Reported effects include:
Improves mental alertness – One of the key uses of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine is for boosting one’s ability to be alert while performing mental or physical workouts. It works as a stimulant for the central nervous system and allows the mind to coordinate well while carrying out activities that require more focus, concentration, and alertness.
Enhances the ability to perform physical workouts for a longer duration – Most athletes and bodybuilders rely on 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine- based supplements to help their mind to overcome the stress caused by physical workouts. Caffeine helps boost mental power and re-energize the body for better performance.
Burns fat and controls weight – Another important use of caffeine, or 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is for reducing body weight. This substance is a well-recognized fat burner and is widely used by athletes, bodybuilders, and weightlifters to burn unnecessary fat cells in the body.
Fastens the effects of other medicines – One of the medically proven uses for caffeine is for increasing the therapeutic impact of certain medicine. It has been observed through several experiments that 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, when combined with certain pain relievers or medicine, especially for diseases like headache or migraines, helps boost the medicine’s impact on the symptoms of the disease.
Reduces appetite – One of the most remarkable use of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine is for maintaining proper body weight. Caffeine supplements help to reduce appetite since it works as a filler element in the body. Reduced appetite with sufficient energy is the key to a controlled weight.
Exhibits diuretic properties - It has been observed that many bodybuilders and athletes consider caffeine to help with retaining defined muscle tone since it has the ability to lessen the water content in the body.
Possible Dangers
Normal dosage of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine is known to be safe for human consumption. A high dosage of caffeine may, however, be harmful for the human body, leading to restlessness, tinnitus, gastrointestinal irritation, muscle tremor, nervousness, insomnia, and many other health issues.
For the average human, over 500 mg’s per day is considered to be excessive. High dosages of caffeine may also dehydrate your body and therefore sufficient water intake is recommended for people taking caffeine supplements.
FDA Approved?
The Food and Drug Administration has evaluated and approved use of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine only in soft drinks that contain a maximum concentration level of 200 parts per million. However, FDA has not approved use of caffeine in any kind of alcoholic beverages.
Studies
In a controlled study conducted to track the effect of caffeine, or 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, on various health conditions, it was found that people taking moderate amounts of coffee regularly for several years did not develop any symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, or diabetes. Based on the results of the same study, it was also found that individuals taking coffee developed more resistance to type II diabetes, compared to the non-drinkers.
A study conducted to examine the impact of caffeine on mental performance reported that people who were fed with cereal and coffee regularly in their breakfast performed better in various games and exercises, compared to those who were given decaffeinated coffee.
A few studies were put forward to evaluate the impact of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine on the performance level of a group of individuals. Based on the results of these studies, it was found that individuals who had coffee regularly before 60 minutes of starting their physical exercise performed consistently for a longer time. However, this was not the case with individuals who received decaffeinated coffee.
Another remarkable study on the fat burning properties of 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine showed promising results. As per the results of this study, people who were given coffee containing caffeine burnt more fat than others who consumed decaffeinated coffee.
Supplements using this ingredient:
1. Applied Nutriceuticals RPM
3. BPI 1 MR
4. Cellucor Super HD
6. MuscleTech NeuroCore
7. Optimum Essential AmiN.O. Energy
9. BSN Hyper FX
10. MuscleTech Hydroxycut Hardcore Pro Series
Conclusion
Caffeine, or 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is a recognized ingredient used in various dietary supplements that are suggested for bodybuilding and sports activities. Several commercial products include 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine as the primary ingredient along with another important compound known as homopolysaccharides.