Potassium is an electrically charged mineral, or electrolyte, that your body needs in certain amounts to support basic functions such as normal heart function, muscle contraction and transmission of signals inside your nervous system. You can develop significant physical problems if your levels of this mineral rise too high or fall too low. However, excess consumption of caffeine will not trigger a potassium imbalance.
Caffeine Background
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and a member of a class of chemicals called xanthines. When you consume this stimulant, it achieves its effects by blocking the activity of a naturally occurring brain xanthine called adenosine, which normally builds up in your body during waking hours and gradually makes you sleepy. Other basic body effects associated with caffeine consumption include narrowing of the blood vessels, improved breathing, easier muscle contraction and increases in heart rate.
Excessive Caffeine
A moderate adult dose of caffeine is roughly 200 mg to 300 mg, or two to four cups of coffee, per day, according to MayoClinic.com. Most people experience no significant adverse effects when they consume caffeine at this level. However, if you consume more than 500 mg to 600 mg per day, you risk for unpleasant side effects that can include an upset stomach, restlessness, muscle tremors, nervousness, insomnia, irritability and a rapid heartbeat. Habitual high caffeine consumption can also increase your stress levels and make you more prone to temporary mental episodes that are similar to those associated with psychosis.
Low Potassium
Normally, your body will keep the potassium levels in your blood somewhere between 3.5 mEq/L and 5.5 mEq/L. If your potassium levels fall below 3.5 mEq/L, you can develop symptoms of low potassium, or hypokalemia. Potential causes of hypokalemia include vomiting, chronic diarrhea, overuse of laxatives, use of medications called beta-2 agonists, use of the medication insulin, an adrenal gland disorder called Cushing's syndrome and use of diuretic medications such as loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics or osmotic diuretics. Additional potential causes include a specific form of colon cancer and use of penicillin and certain closely related medications.
High Potassium
If your blood potassium levels rise above 5.5 mEq/L, you can develop symptoms of high potassium, or hyperkalemia. Potential causes of this disorder include increased potassium consumption from food or supplements, use of medications called beta-blockers, toxic levels of the drug digoxin, burns, a muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis, low adrenal gland output, diabetes, kidney failure and chronic kidney disease. Additional potential causes include use of medications called ACE inhibitors, use of medications called angiotensin 2 receptor blockers, exercise, fasting, use of an IV feeding technique called total parenteral nutrition and use of diuretics called potassium-sparing diuretics. Consult your doctor for more information on the effects of excessive caffeine consumption and the potential causes of a potassium imbalance.
References
- Oregon State University - Linus Pauling Institute; Potassium; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; February 2004
- "Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals": Disorders of Potassium Concentration
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine; How Much Is Too Much?; March 2011
- Refdoc.fr; Caffeine, Stress and Proneness to Psychosis-Like Experiences...; Simon R. Jones, et al.; 2009
- University of Washington: Caffeine
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Brain Basics; Understanding Sleep
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