Caffeine is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system that is present in many different beverages. Caffeine is safe when consumed in moderation, but consuming caffeine in high levels or on a regular basis can lead to unpleasant side effects. If you are a regular drinker of coffee or other caffeinated beverages, you may want to watch your caffeine intake.
Acceptable Doses
Moderate caffeine consumption is between 200 and 300 mg of caffeine each day, which is about two to four cups of brewed coffee, according to MayoClinic.com. This is safe for most people, especially people who regularly drink coffee. Heavy caffeine use, which is defined by the Mayo Clinic as between 500 to 600 mg per day, can cause some unpleasant side effects. One important thing to note, however, is that sensitivity to caffeine can vary among people, so for some people even a small amount of caffeine can cause problems.
Caffeine Overdose Symptoms
If you consume too much caffeine, you may adopt symptoms of a caffeine overdose. Some of these symptoms are fairly mild and include, anxiety or feeling jittery, muscle tremors, increased urination, diarrhea, restlessness, nausea and headaches. These symptoms may occur if you consume more than 600 mg of caffeine in a day, though if you are especially sensitive to caffeine they may occur with lower doses. A severe overdose of caffeine can cause serious problems, including dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, convulsions, an irregular heartbeat and vomiting.
Caffeine Dependence
One hazard of chronically consuming high amounts of caffeine is that you can become physiologically dependent on caffeine. If you consume caffeine on a regular basis your brain will eventually adapt to the stimulation that caffeine provides. This means that if you stop consuming caffeine, you will develop symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, such as irritability, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and headaches. These symptoms may be especially pronounced if they are caused by heavy caffeine use. To avoid withdrawal symptoms while reducing caffeine intake, gradually lower the amount of caffeine you consume.
Drug Interactions
There are some situations where the maximum recommended dose of caffeine is lower than it would usually be. For example, certain antibiotics, such as norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin can slow the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine, which means that you will be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than normal. Another medication, theophylline, can also interact with caffeine and make its side effects more pronounced. You should also avoid caffeine if you consume any products with ephedra. Ephedra is a stimulant which has been banned in dietary supplements in the United States but can still be found in some herbal teas.
Member Comments