Caffeine is a substance that naturally exists in some plants but is also produced synthetically and added to certain foods and drinks, according to National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus. Some major sources of caffeine are coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks. Although caffeine is a legal stimulant, consuming too much of it could result in dire consequences.
Safe vs. Risky Intake
If you're an adult who's generally healthy, you should be able to safely have 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day, according to MayoClinic.com. This amount equals about two to four cups of coffee. Increasing your caffeine intake to more than 500 to 600 mg per day may cause a series of unwanted symptoms, including insomnia, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, upset stomach, irritability and muscle tremors.
Overdose Symptoms
The exact amount of caffeine that would be considered an overdose, or caffeine poisoning, varies from person to person. However, you increase your risk of overdose symptoms when you consume more than 500 to 600 mg per day. In most cases, a dangerous amount of caffeine for infants and small children is much lower than it is for adults. The U.S. hasn't established a safe daily intake for children, but Canadian guidelines recommend limiting the average preschooler to no more than 45 mg of caffeine per day. Some overdose symptoms can include confusion, fever, vomiting, hallucinations, increased thirst, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle twitches, breathing troubles and convulsions, according to Medline Plus.
Fatal Overdose
It is possible to die from a caffeine overdose, though no specific amount of caffeine is considered lethal for all people. However, most lethal caffeine overdoses have occurred when someone had more than 5 g of caffeine, according to "Forensic Science International" journal. An adult would have to drink about 80 consecutive cups of coffee to have that much caffeine, which is a difficult feat to accomplish. You are more likely to suffer a fatal overdose if you take too many caffeine pills or drink a large quantity of energy drinks. In one case reported by "ABC News," a man died after ingesting two spoonfuls of caffeine powder washed down by an energy drink, which would amount to about 70 cans of a standard energy drink.
Considerations
Not everyone can tolerate up to 500 or 600 mg of caffeine in a day. You may be more susceptible to caffeine's effects if you aren't used to consuming it, if you have a small body type, if you take certain medications or if you have an anxiety disorder. Don't hesitate to call an emergency poison hot line if you have had any caffeine and you begin to experience symptoms such as tremors, confusion, hallucinations or restlessness. If you need emergency care, a health-care provider can monitor your vital signs and may need to help flush the caffeine out of your body with a laxative or stomach pump. She may also give you backup treatments such as breathing support and medication to treat abnormal heartbeats, according to Medline Plus.
References
- Medline Plus: Caffeine Overdose
- Medline Plus: Caffeine
- MayoClinic.com: Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?
- "ABC News"; Massive Dose of Caffeine Kills British Man; K. Carollo; Nov. 3, 2010
- "Forensic Science International"; Fatal Caffeine Overdose: Two Case Reports; S. Kerrigan, et al.; 2005
- Kids Health from Nemours: Caffeine and Your Child
Member Comments