Why Caffeine Sensitivity is like Quidditch

April 30, 2019September 5, 2019greeneyedguide

Is caffeine sensitivity like Quidditch ability? While reading Science Meets Food’s article, “Does Caffeine Work on You” it dawned on me how well someone handles their caffeine is like how well someone plays Quidditch.

infographic explaining Quidditch — SOURCE: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/21/sport/quidditch-mudbloods/index.html

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AGE

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Harry Potter is the youngest seeker in a century. Quidditch is dangerous for everyone but if you’re too young, it’s too hard to be successful. Same thing with caffeine. It’s dangerous for everyone (Bludger to the head = 1 gram of pure caffeine). But if you’re too young, it’s too hard for your body to metabolize the caffeine effectively, meaning more side effects (headache, nausea, jitters, irritability).

[We talked about caffeine and kids here on GreenEyedGuide]

harry potter trio young and old — SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-14049090/harry-potter-stars-through-the-years

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GENES

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Hermione points out that Harry will be good at Quidditch because it’s in his blood. His dad was good at Quidditch, ergo, Harry has good Quidditch genes. At least 3 genes make you good at handling caffeine: one is for the liver enzyme that metabolizes caffeine; one gene is an on/off switch for that liver enzyme gene, and one is for the adenosine receptors caffeine snuggles into to keep you awake.

[if you find genetics interesting, there’s much more detail in this article on caffeine sensitivity by Caffeine Informer]

KEEPER pun harry potter with Quidditch rings — SOURCE: https://www.teepublic.com/sticker/1464469-im-a-keeper

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one more thing…

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Okay, but how come Ron sucks at Quidditch? Ginny, Fred, and George all seem to have good Quidditch genes, how come Ron is such a mental wreck when he plays? Because SENSITIVITY is different than TOLERANCE.

Tolerance is acquired over time, while caffeine sensitivity is more hard-wired. Ron’s tolerance for the attention and pressure that comes with playing Quidditch conflicts with his Quidditch ability. As Ron gets more tolerant of this attention and pressure, he’s only limited by his Quidditch ability. As we build a tolerance for caffeine, we’re then only limited by our caffeine sensitivity. But watch out for those over-caffeinated drinks and bludgers!

Danielle Robertson Rath is a food scientist, consultant, speaker, and the founder of GreenEyedGuide.com. Her book “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks – How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” is widely considered the ultimate resource for caffeine drinkers everywhere. Danielle aka “GreenEyedGuide” started studying energy drinks while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and master’s degree in food science. She has been fascinated by caffeinated beverages and their ingredients ever since.

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Book GreenEyedGuide as a guest speaker – here

Get your copy of MY BOOK: “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks — How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” on Amazon and NOW ON AUDIBLE

How much caffeine can I have a day? Book Excerpt of the Week

November 21, 2016September 8, 2019greeneyedguide

This Book Excerpt of the Week is from PART ONE: ABCs of Caffeine Safety – B=Biological Sensitivity. Did you know a healthy adult can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day? This magic number is the conclusion of a massive study on caffeine intake and what amounts trigger side effects and health problems.

capture-mon — PS – I also post the Book Excerpt of the Week every Monday morning on my Instagram page! Find me ‘greeneyedguide’

Obeying this this limit is SO IMPORTANT because it means the caffeine should not cause any side effects of bone health and calcium balance, heart health, changes in behavior, incidences of cancer, or male fertility. Going above this magic limit is, well, pushing it. It goes without saying that your personal limits may vary depending on your own sensitivity. Also, I should not have to point this out, but it would be unwise to consume your whole day’s worth of caffeine in one sitting.

As I mentioned with the Book Except of the Week from last week (Caffeine and Panic Attacks), THIS IS WHY IT DRIVES ME CRAZY when people talk about energy drinks WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE. ~~Energy drinks~~ caffeinated beverages and supplements are definitely not for everyone but it’s important to include these details so people can make informed choices about which products work and don’t work for them.

Help me share my story– An energy drink is like your favorite song: what works for YOU might not work for me, and what works for you on a Monday morning may not be your go-to for a Friday night. As the GreenEyedGuide, I use food science to teach people how to calculate what they need and when, whether it’s water, a nap, or some healthy beverage in between.

For more information:

Get your copy of my book “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star-A Guide to Energy Drinks: How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely” http://amzn.to/2bjHRbk

Caffeine and Skinny Jeans: Book Excerpt of the Week

October 24, 2016September 8, 2019greeneyedguide

Caffeine and skinny jeans have something in common. This week’s book excerpt comes from the ABCs of Caffeine Safety: Biological Sensitivity

“The safety of a product such as an energy drink depends on the quality of the ingredients and the cleanliness of the production line, but it also depends on the person consuming the product.”

For more on this topic, please check out my book, “Are You a Monster or a Rock Star-A Guide to Energy Drinks: How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely”, available on Amazon and wherever hardcover/paperback and e-books are sold.