Anyone who has had the jitters after drinking too much coffee has experienced the stimulating effects of caffeine. Caffeine occurs naturally in plants and can be made synthetically and added to foods and supplements. Worry and fear characterize anxiety. Anxiety symptoms can be affected by food and beverages. Understanding how what you eat affects you can help you make healthful choices.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant used to enhance performance, reduce drowsiness and decrease appetite. It also acts as a diuretic to help remove water from the body. Approximately three 8-oz. cups of coffee, or 250mg of caffeine is considered an average amount of daily caffeine. Caffeine can have side effects when consumed in large amounts--ten 8-oz. cups of coffee or 830mg or more. Increased heart rate and urination, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety and depression, difficulty sleeping and tremors are possible side effects of having too much caffeine.
Caffeine in Coffee
The amount of caffeine in coffee varies depending upon the type of coffee and how it is brewed. An 8-oz. cup of brewed coffee can have anywhere between 71 and 103mg. of caffeine, while 1 oz. of espresso contains 58 to 75mg of caffeine. Don't be fooled into thinking decaffeinated coffee is caffeine-free. Even decaffeinated coffee contains between 2 to 12mg of caffeine per 8-oz. cup.
Anxiety
Day-to-day stress can cause some anxiety in everyone. Persistent anxiety occurring for no known reason and negatively impacting relationships, work or school may be a problem and should be addressed by a mental health professional. Anxiety is characterized by any number of symptoms, including difficulty sleeping, restlessness, muscle tension or tremors, feeling worry or fear, nausea, rapid heart rate or breathing, sweating, headache, irritability or fatigue.
Anxiety and Caffeine
Anxiety symptoms and the symptoms of too much caffeine may be the same. Caffeine consumption can make anxiety symptoms worse for people who have anxiety. Reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet may help control anxiety symptoms and improve how you function. Consult a medical professional if you experience symptoms that interfere with your ability to function daily.
Member Comments