Anytime you abruptly discontinue your usual caffeine consumption, you can expect some signs of caffeine withdrawal. Headaches are one very common symptom, and skipping your usual morning cup of tea might produce these uncomfortable side effects. Caffeine affects many bodily functions, from brain activity to digestion, and its best to reduce consumption gradually to avoid side effects.
Caffeine Content
The caffeine content of tea varies depending on the variety and the length of time it is brewed. An 8 oz. cup of black tea contains between 40 and 120 mg of caffeine, while a 6 oz. cup of Stash Premium green tea contains 26 mg of caffeine. Serving size also is a significant factor. A 16 oz. cup of Starbucks' Tazo Chai Latte contains 100 mg of caffeine.
Cause of Headache
Headache is a common symptom of caffeine withdrawal. A study by the Johns Hopkins Medical Center found that 50 percent of habitual caffeine drinkers experienced headaches when they abstained from caffeine for a 24-hour period. According to Dr. Stephen Dager, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of radiology at the University of Washington, caffeine reduces blood flow in the brain. In fact, many headache medications include caffeine for this reason. When you stop drinking caffeine, blood flow increases rapidly in the brain and a headache occurs.
Other Symptoms
In addition to headache, skipping your usual cup of caffeinated tea or coffee might cause a variety of other unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, irritability and anxiety. You might notice decreased motivation, difficulty focusing and trouble performing mental or physical tasks. Some people will experience depression and flu-like symptoms, including muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, hot and cold spells, or heaviness in the arms or legs.
Cutting Back
Moderate caffeine consumption is not a problem for most people, but if your total caffeine consumption is more than 500 to 600 mg per day, MayoClinic.com suggests that you might want to cut back. The best way to avoid the side effects of withdrawal is to cut back gradually. Eliminate one serving of caffeine at a time over the course of several days. You might consider switching to decaffeinated tea that contains approximately 2 to 10 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. serving.
