Question

The main active constituent of tea and coffee is:

• A. Nicotine
• B. Chlorophyll
• C. Caffeine
• D. Aspirin

Hint:

Think of the stimulant alkaloid common to both tea and coffee.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Tea leaves and coffee beans both contain a natural stimulant alkaloid that affects the nervous system.

Step 2: This chief stimulant present in both is caffeine, a purine based alkaloid that stimulates the central nervous system, increases alertness and reduces the feeling of fatigue.

Step 3: Nicotine is the alkaloid found in tobacco, it is not present in tea or coffee. Chlorophyll is simply the green pigment used by plants for photosynthesis, it has no stimulant action on the body. Aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) is a synthetic drug, it does not occur naturally in tea or coffee at all.

Step 4: So the correct active constituent of tea and coffee is caffeine, option C.