Though it can be a seemingly necessary eye-opener in the morning for millions of working Americans, caffeine has a number of notable negative side effects. It has been linked to sleeplessness, anxiety and, in the wake of a recent study, unequal effects in men and women.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo found that, among teens and young adults who regularly drink caffeinated beverages, males experience a greater rush from the chemical than females.

The team came to this conclusion after giving participants either 50, 100 or 200 milligrams of caffeinated liquid. By monitoring vital signs, scientists discovered that males experienced a greater increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

Researchers also found that heavy users of caffeine tended to consume more fat, protein and sugary snacks on a daily basis, compared to their non-caffeinated peers.

A previous study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology determined that caffeine does not even stimulate wakefulness. Instead, it simply suppresses the urge to sleep temporarily, the authors said.

Individuals who need a pick-me-up may consider purchasing products with ginseng instead, which has been used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years. Also, taking a daily vitamin supplement may keep the body healthy and promote increased alertness and attention.