Informative Speech-Caffeine Outline

I. What does coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and a bottle of medications have in common? II. They all contain caffeine, and that’s what I’m going to be talking about today. III. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have estimated that the average daily caffeine consumption among Americans is about 280 mg per day, while 20%-30% consume more than 600 mg daily. The top 3 sources of caffeine in adults are coffee (70%), soda (16%), and tea (12%)” (“Caffeine”). IV. Caffeine is common in our society and a lot of people, including myself, consume something with caffeine in it at least every day, but many of us don’t know what the effects or withdrawals can do to our bodies. V. I will discuss what caffeine is and where it can be found, the effects of it, and the withdrawal symptoms.

(Transition: Let’s first look at what it is and where it can be found.)

Body

I. “Caffeine is a bitter, white substance found naturally in certain leaves, beans, and fruit of over 60 plants worldwide and produced synthetically and added to foods, drinks, supplements, and medications” (“Caffeine”). A. Caffeine is the more common, and much easier term to pronounce, for 1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine (“Caffeine”). 1. It derives from the German word kaffee and the French word café, both meaning coffee (“Caffeine”). B. Caffeine is also considered a potent drug (Connolly). 2. “Along with nicotine and alcohol, caffeine is 1 of the 3 most widely used mood-affecting drugs in the world (Connolly). 3. “Caffeine is not harmful, but overuse of it can be” (Connolly).

(Transition: Now that we know what caffeine is and all the forms in which it comes in, let’s discuss some of the effects.)

II. Caffeine can affect our bodies and even our sleep.
A. Once caffeine is consumed, your body can completely absorb it within 30 to 45 minutes. Its effects will fade away within 3 to 6 to even 8 hours (“Caffeine”). 1. Within this time period, these are some short-term effects one may experience: a. Like “rapid or irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and /or tremors” (Connolly). 2. Here are some long-term effects:

b. Like “sleep disorders, this means it could affect the length and quality of sleep, possible cancer-causing effects, and heart and breathing problems due to overdose” (Connolly). B. Caffeine affects each and every one of us differently. What could happen to one of us may not happen to anyone else. 3. “It depends on each person’s individual circumstances such as weight and body type” (Connolly).

(Transition: Now let’s discuss some withdrawal symptoms.)

III. When you don’t consume caffeine as you usually do, you can have withdrawal symptoms. C. These symptoms can be headaches, sleepiness, irritability, lethargy, constipation, depression, muscle pain or stiffness, lack of concentration, Flu-like symptoms, and insomnia” (“Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms: Top Ten”). 4. They can last anywhere from a few days to a week (“Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms: Top Ten”). D. Like with the effects, withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone. E. For someone who wants to cut back their consumption of caffeine, the one thing they shouldn’t do is “quit cold turkey.” Just reduce intake everyday and then every week” (Connolly). 5. The withdrawal symptoms can be worse for someone who quits suddenly.

(Transition: So now let’s do a recap.)

Conclusion

I. We know that caffeine can be found in plants worldwide and in everyday foods, drinks, and medications. II. Caffeine can affect us physically and mentally.
III. The withdrawal symptoms can range from minor to severe, depending on each person’s situation. IV. Caffeine may have bad outcomes but it also has good too. It can be helpful and ever so delicious, but so dangerous at the same time. So just don’t go overboard with the pop, coffee, and tea.

Works Cited

“Caffeine.” MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc., 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. “Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms: Top Ten”. Energy Fiend. Energy Fiend, 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. Connolly, Reg. “A Hit of Caffeine.” Pegasus NLP. Pegasus NLP Newsletter, 7 Aug. 2000-2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.