Coffee and tea arei ncredibly healthy beverages. Now, most types contain caffeine which is of course a stimulant that can have many beneficial effects on our bodies. However, high doses of caffeine can have unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. In this blog I’m looking at four of the biggest side effects from having too much caffeine.
Caffeine is known to increase alertness.
It works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. Now at the same time, it triggers the release of adrenaline, the fight-or-flight hormone associated with increased energy. However, at higher doses, these effects may become more pronounced, leading to anxiety and nervousness. In fact, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder is one of four caffeine-related symptoms listed in the DSM which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. Extremely high daily intakes of a thousand milligrams of caffeine or more can cause nervousness and jitteriness and related symptoms in most people.
For reference,
1. A large or grande size coffee at Starbucks contains about 330 milligrams of caffeine.Now this study in 25 healthy men found that those who ingested approximately 300 milligrams of caffeine experienced more than double the stress of those who took a placebo.Interestingly, stress levels were similar between regular and less frequent caffeine consumers suggesting the compound may have the same effect on stress levels regardless of whether you drink it habitually. So if you notice that you often feel nervous or jittery it might be a good idea to take a look at how much caffeine you have and cut back.
2.Insomnia
Caffeine’s ability to keep people awake is one of its most prized qualities. On the other hand, too much caffeine can make it very difficult to get good quality sleep.Studies have found that high caffeine intake appears to increase the amount it takes to fall asleep.it may also decrease total sleeping time especially in the elderly.
Now you may not realize that too much caffeine is actually interfering with your sleep if you underestimate how much caffeine you actually have in a day.
Although coffee and tea are the most concentrated sources of caffeine,It is also found in soda, cocoa,energy drinks and several types of medication.
For example, an energy shot may contain up to 350 milligrams of caffeine,while some energy drinks have as much as 500 milligrams per can.And of course caffeine consumed later in the day could also interfere with sleep because it takes several hours for its effects to wear off. So I guess it’s important to pay attention to the amount of caffeine you have and the timing you have it if you’re having issues with sleep.
3 .Addiction
Number three, addiction.Despite all of caffeine’s health benefits there’s no denying that it may become habit forming.In this study, 16 people who typically consumed high, moderate or no caffeine took part in a word test after going without caffeine overnight.
Now, only high caffeine users showed a bias for caffeine-related words and had strong caffeine cravings. Frequency of caffeine intake also seems to play a role in dependency. Now in this study, 213 caffeine users completed questionnaire safter going 16 hours without consuming it. Daily users had greater increases in headaches, fatigue and other withdrawal symptoms than non-daily users. “Caffeine: How much is too much?” explores the nuances of caffeine consumption, offering valuable insights into its effects on health and well-being. From deciphering safe limits to discussing potential risks of excessive intake, this blog delves into the science behind caffeine’s impact on our bodies. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or curious about energy drinks, discover practical tips for maintaining a balanced consumption and making informed choices for your health. Join us as we navigate the caffeine conundrum with clarity and expertise.
I should clarify that caffeine doesn’t cause a true addiction like some hard drugs do. But if you regularly drink a lot of coffee or caffeinated beverages there’s a very good chance you’re gonna becomed ependent on its effect.