Pain Relief: Caffeine in conjunction with other analgesics has been approved by the FDA to help relieve the pain and suffering of migraine headaches. Most migraines are caused by changes in blood vessels of the head and neck, causing a throbbing sensation, and caffeine is thought to constrict those blood vessels, which surround the head and neck. It is recognized by the FDA as an adjunct product that enhances the pain relieving effects of some analgesics.

Respiratory Depression: Intravenous (IV) forms of caffeine stimulate the respiratory center of the brain, causing an increase in respiratory rate. Therefore, doctors commonly administer intravenous caffeine to pre-term infants who experience apnea (depressed respirations).

Ongoing Research

Recent medical research has started to focus more on the beneficial effects of caffeine in preventing chronic illness and disease. While caffeine is not yet indicated for the following conditions, the research currently being conducted has yielded promising results:

Parkinson's Disease: Recent studies have established an association between the common consumption of coffee or other caffeinated beverages and a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, followed 8,004 men and concluded that higher caffeine intake was associated with significantly lower incidence in Parkinson's disease. A more recent large-scale study, evaluated 47,351 men and 88,565 women and concluded that moderate intake of caffeine (approximately 1-3 cups of coffee per/day) had a decreased risk in developing Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: A 20-year study published in July 2002 tested if caffeine intake could protect against neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results showed that caffeine intake was associated with a significantly lower risk for AD, independent of other possible confounding variables. According to the lead investigators, these results, if confirmed with future prospective studies, may have a major impact on the prevention of AD.

Gallstones: Caffeinated coffee has shown to possess several metabolic effects that could reduce the risk of gallstone formation. According to a study performed by Harvard University School of Public Health, the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease declined with increasing caffeine intake in the more than 40,000 men who were coffee drinkers. A more recent follow-up study conducted by the same group of investigators evaluated the association of coffee intake and gallstone disease in more than 80,000 women for 20 years. This study also concluded that the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease declined with increasing caffeine intake.

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