The belief expressed by many asthmatics that coffee drinking can help relieve their attacks has been given scientific support by a study that has just been reported in the Medical World News (24#23:21). Theobromine, a natural chemical of the coffee plant, affects the body in almost the same way as theophylline, one of the most commonly used drugs for asthma.
Not surprisingly, therefore, asthmatics who have taken a normal dose of theophylline experience unusually intense side effects from that medication if they drink coffee at the same time. This, of course, is due to the additive side effects on the body of the two very similar chemical compounds. Asthmatics who drank three cups of coffee as well as taking their medicine experienced nervousness, headache, palpitations, and upset stomach.
These were the side effects that they might get with theophylline anyway, but they were much more intense than the asthmatic patients expected them to be. Tea and cola drinks, even though containing similar chemical stimulants, are not strong enough in this respect to produce additive effects.
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