Drinking too much coffee will not make you more sensitive to caffeine’s effects, but it may trigger unwanted side effects. MayoClinic.com states that if you don’t drink coffee regularly, you will be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine. The more caffeine you consume, the less sensitive your body is to its effects. If you develop adverse reactions after drinking coffee, stop consuming the beverage and call your doctor.
Caffeine Sensitivity
Caffeine is a colorless and odorless substance that is commonly found in coffee. Even decaffeinated coffee contains minimal amounts of caffeine that can cause side effects. Caffeine is considered a central nervous system stimulant drug that can help you wake up, stay up longer and provide you with more energy. Caffeine doesn’t affect everyone the same way. You may be able to drink a few cups of coffee with minimal side effects and someone else may experience severe side effects from a single cup of coffee. Some factors may include body mass, health conditions and age.
Content
Caffeine is found in a few beverages, but coffee contains the most caffeine per ounce. For example, the average 8-oz. cup of black tea contains about 53mg of caffeine, the average 12-oz. cup of cola contains 69mg of caffeine and the average 8-oz. cup of coffee contains 133mg, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. MayoClinic.com states that most healthy adults can handle a moderate amount of coffee--between two and four cups of brewed coffee. People who consume more than four cups of coffee daily may be more prone to develop side effects.
Common Side Effects
As with any drug, caffeine may lead to unwanted side effects that may affect each person differently. Common side effects include dizziness, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, nausea, trouble sleeping, vomiting, nervousness, severe jitters, dehydration, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and weakness, according to Drugs.com. Sometimes if you stop drinking coffee suddenly, you may develop stuffy nose, tiredness, anxiety, dizziness, irritability, nausea, nervousness and muscle tension.
Overdosing
If you drink too much coffee, you may overdose on caffeine, which can cause severe side effects. Drugs.com states that an adult should not consume more than 1,000mg of caffeine in a 24-hour period. Overdosing on caffeine can lead to life-threatening symptoms that may require emergency medical attention. Common symptoms of overdosing on caffeine include convulsions, trouble breathing, fever, mental confusion, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and muscle twitching, according to MedlinePlus.
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