In response to the article on caffeine in the science and health section of the Tuesday's paper, I would like to amend some inaccurate statements made about the drug. The article stated that habitual consumption of caffeine often results in high blood pressure and increased heart rate.

No studies have consistently confirmed that statement, and the majority of studies have determined that long-term caffeine consumption has no effects on blood pressure and heart rate. If you are hypertension-prone, though, don't consume caffeinated-products unnecessarily or it may raise your blood pressure to a dangerous level.

Also, the article stated that caffeine opens blood vessels in all parts of the body. Actually it constricts blood vessels , and leads to an immediate rise in blood pressure. The body after about two weeks develops a tolerance to caffeine, and then blood pressure, along with heart rate, are no longer affected as dramatically. For tea and coffee vampires, caffeine is not entirely bad. Research has revealed improvements in attention, psychomotor skills, and long-term memory during the initial few hours after caffeine consumption.

If an addiction develops, which it most likely will after an extended period of time since it is a drug.