Short- and long-term effects of caffeine on health and performance

Caffeine is woven so thoroughly throughout modern life that we rarely pause to consider its remarkable influence on human physiology and performance. From the morning coffee ritual to the pre-workout supplement, this molecule shapes our daily rhythms in ways both obvious and subtle. Yet despite its ubiquity — or perhaps because of it — many misconceptions persist about caffeine’s effects on health and performance.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll examine the scientific evidence behind caffeine’s impact on the body and mind. Caffeine is widely consumed for its well-known acute effects on mental alertness and mood, its efficacy as an ergogenic aid, and its ability to stave off fatigue, but mounting evidence links caffeine to long-term effects on health, too. What role might this ubiquitous compound play in metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological health? Are there risks associated with its use? Do certain individuals stand to reap greater benefits — or assume greater risks — with caffeine consumption? We’ll examine these questions and more as we explore caffeine’s broader implications for health and well-being and attempt to provide practical guidance on its use.