Drinking caffeinated cola can give kids a burst of hyperactive energy. Like cola, coffee is full of caffeine. That’s why many adults drink it first thing in the morning to help them wake up. The chemical is also naturally found in tea, chocolate, and hot cocoa. Parents and teachers usually try to keep kids away from caffeine. But is this chemical actually bad for your health? The answer is complicated.

Good caffeine, bad caffeine

Some studies have shown that caffeine might help people respond to things more quickly and even run longer. Scientists have also recently found evidence that caffeinated coffee and tea can help protect the heart, brain, and other organs from disease. On the other hand, too much caffeine can make people anxious and unable to sleep. Caffeine can also raise your blood pressure, increase your heart rate, and make you feel more stressed, which may eventually lead to heart disease and other health problems.

You’re feeling sleepy . . . NO!

Caffeine works by blocking the effects of a sleep-inducing substance  called adenosine. It is produced by your body and accumulates inside you throughout the day. As adenosine levels rise, you become calm and drowsy. Later, as you sleep, adenosine levels drop. When you wake up, the cycle starts again. By not allowing adenosine to build up, caffeine keeps you feeling fired up.

Caffeine also increases your blood pressure, which may make you feel as if your chest is pounding. Research has shown that caffeine interferes with the body’s ability to process sugars, which may lead to a disease called type 2 diabetes. A can of caffeinated cola every now and then is probably OK, nutritionists say, but sip carefully!