If you have ever had a cup or glass of tea to reduce mid-day drowsiness, you know certain teas have a stimulating effect. This effect is caused by caffeine. Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in some plants. It can also be made synthetically and added to beverages, foods and supplements. Anxiety is characterized by worry and fear, and what you consume can affect anxiety symptoms.
Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and acts as a diuretic. A diuretic helps remove water from the body. Caffeine is used to enhance performance, reduce drowsiness and decrease appetite. An average amount of caffeine is equivalent to about three 8-ounce cups of coffee, or 250 mg. When consumed in large amounts, 10 8-ounce cups of coffee or 830 mg or more, caffeine can have adverse effects, which include increased heart rate and urination, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping and tremors.
Anxiety
Everybody experiences some anxiety as a result of daily stresses and life circumstances. However, when anxiety occurs daily for no known reason or effects performance at work or school or negatively impacts relationships, it is time to seek help. Symptoms of anxiety can include any of the following, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, muscle tension or tremors, feeling worry or fear, nausea, rapid heart rate or breathing, sweating, headache, irritability or fatigue.
Caffeine and Anxiety
Many of the side effects of caffeine are the symptoms of anxiety. A reduction in caffeine consumption may alleviate these side effects and rule out anxiety. For those with anxiety, consuming caffeine can make anxiety worse or more difficult to control. Reduce or eliminate caffeine in the diet to help control anxiety symptoms.
Caffeine in Tea
Tea, which is made from brewing the leaves, flowers and stems of a variety of plants, may naturally contain caffeine. Some teas contain more caffeine that others. Black teas have 40 - 120 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. cup and green tea about 26 mg per 6 oz. cup. Think choosing decaffeinated tea will eliminate all of the caffeine? Not so. Decaffeinated teas can have between 1 and 10 mg of caffeine per cup. Check the labels of your tea and choose herbal teas made from plants which are naturally caffeine-free.
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