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Review
. 2023 Jul 27;16(8):1067.
doi: 10.3390/ph16081067.

Overview of Caffeine Effects on Human Health and Emerging Delivery Strategies

Sofia M Saraiva  1 , Telma A Jacinto  1 , Ana C Gonçalves  2 , Dário Gaspar  3 , Luís R Silva  1   2   4
Affiliations
Review

Overview of Caffeine Effects on Human Health and Emerging Delivery Strategies

Sofia M Saraiva et al. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). .

Abstract

Caffeine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants. It acts as a stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even an aid in pain management, and is found in several over-the-counter medications. This naturally derived bioactive compound is the best-known ingredient in coffee and other beverages, such as tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, and is widely consumed worldwide. Therefore, it is extremely important to research the effects of this substance on the human body. With this in mind, caffeine and its derivatives have been extensively studied to evaluate its ability to prevent diseases and exert anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. This review is intended to provide an overview of caffeine's effects on cancer and cardiovascular, immunological, inflammatory, and neurological diseases, among others. The heavily researched area of caffeine in sports will also be discussed. Finally, recent advances in the development of novel nanocarrier-based formulations, to enhance the bioavailability of caffeine and its beneficial effects will be discussed.

Keywords: athletic effects; caffeine; dietary supplements; health benefits; nanocarriers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure and functional groups of caffeine (A) and theobromine (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Possible administration routes for caffein-loaded nanosystems and their main outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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