IMPACT OF CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION ON HUMAN PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed psychoactive substances worldwide and is commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, and dietary supplements. Although moderate caffeine consumption has been associated with several health benefits, excessive intake has raised concerns because of its potential adverse effects on physical, mental, and cardiometabolic health. This systematic review aimed to synthesize recent evidence regarding the effects of caffeine consumption across different age groups and population characteristics. A systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing ten peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025. The selected studies included adolescents, healthy adults, athletes, patients with chronic diseases, and laboratory investigations. The findings revealed that moderate caffeine consumption generally improves physical performance, cognitive function, alertness, reaction time, and endurance while also demonstrating potential cardiometabolic benefits, including reduced disease recurrence and lower all-cause mortality in selected populations. Conversely, excessive caffeine intake, particularly through energy drinks, was associated with anxiety, insomnia, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and caffeine dependence, especially among adolescents and individuals with high caffeine sensitivity. The review further identified age, sex, hormonal factors, genetics, lifestyle, dosage, frequency of intake, and source of caffeine as important factors influencing individual responses. Overall, the evidence suggests that moderate caffeine consumption provides greater health benefits than risks when consumed responsibly, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based recommendations and public awareness to promote safe and informed caffeine consumption.