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Cafeína en la dieta - Overview

Nombres alternativos

La dieta y la cafeína

Definición:

La cafeína es una sustancia que se encuentra en ciertas plantas. También se puede producir de manera artificial (sintéticamente) y luego agregarse a los productos alimentarios. Es un estimulante del sistema nervioso central y un diurético (sustancia que le ayuda al cuerpo a eliminar líquidos) .

Funciones:

La cafeína se absorbe y pasa rápidamente hacia el cerebro. No se acumula en el torrente sanguíneo ni se almacena en el organismo. Sale del cuerpo en la orina muchas horas después de haber sido consumida.

No existe ninguna necesidad nutricional para la cafeína y se puede evitar en la alimentación.

La cafeína estimula o excita el cerebro y el sistema nervioso. No disminuye los efectos del alcohol, aunque mucha gente todavía cree que una taza de café le ayudará a una persona a estar "sobria".

La cafeína puede emplearse para el alivio a corto plazo de la fatiga o de la somnolencia.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/5/2011
  • Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

National Osteoporosis Foundation. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis -- 2008. Washington, DC.

Escott-Stump S. Nutrition and Diagnosis-Related Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.

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