In small to moderate doses, caffeine can be beneficial. But if you are drinking a lot of it, it can start to cause adverse side effects, including stomachaches. This is because the more caffeine you drink, the more acid gets released into your stomach, resulting in pain or indigestion. Learn how much caffeine is considered too much, and work with your doctor to lower your intake. Also let her know about any stomachaches you experience.
Definition of High Intake
The amount of caffeine that is considered moderate will vary from person to person, and it will depend on factors like your body mass, gender and how sensitive your system is to the substance. However, a moderate caffeine intake is considered to be roughly 200 to 300 mg a day. But the FDA states that some doctors may suggest you limit your consumption even further to 100 to 200 mg a day. Excessive intake is defined as more than 600 mg of caffeine a day, and this translates to four to seven cups of coffee, depending on the size of the cup and the amount of caffeine in the beverage.
Other Side Effects of Caffeine
Not only can a lot of caffeine increase your stomach acid and upset your digestive system, it can also cause other adverse symptoms. For example, you may experience frequent urination, since caffeine acts as a diuretic, and if your intake is excessive, you may be in danger of becoming dehydrated. Other adverse effects include a rapid pulse, anxiety, restlessness, tremors, depression and insomnia. Your stomachache may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or other types of digestive upset.
Cutting Back and Withdrawal Symptoms
If you get a stomachache from drinking a lot of caffeine, talk to your doctor about reducing your intake. However, be sure to do this gradually, since cutting your caffeine consumption too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms. You may also develop a stomachache when going through caffeine withdrawal, along with nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, irritability, fatigue and depression. To avoid this, try lessening the amount of caffeine you drink by one cup a day, or as recommended by your doctor.
Additional Tips and Considerations
Learn to read food and beverage labels to gain an understanding of exactly how much caffeine you are ingesting. Also be aware that certain over-the-counter pain medications contain caffeine as well. If you have peptic ulcers or certain other conditions, your doctor may suggest that you restrict or even avoid drinking caffeine. Finally, if your stomachaches persist even after you have stopped consuming a lot of caffeine, see your doctor, since something else may be causing your pain.
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