Caffeine and blood flow

Abstract

Arguably, caffeine is the world’s leading drug of choice. It is estimated that in the U.S. and Europe at least ninety per cent of the adult populations consume caffeine-containing beverages several times each day. It is also known that consumers prefer their hot coffee to be in the range of 45-60°C (i.e. as hot as 140°F). If such a drink is spilled on the exposed skin it can cause full-thickness, third degree burns within 5 seconds. These are the kinds of burns that produce permanent damage and scarring for life. The prudence of consuming hot coffee and other hot drinks at such temperatures is questionable, especially when children and adolescents are involved.