The Food and Drug Administration classifies only one stimulant as safe, effective and legal to sell in over-the-counter products: caffeine. It is wildly popular, with adults and children consuming 7 million kilograms of caffeine annually. People drink coffee, tea and caffeinated sodas for a burst of energy anytime during the day. But the constant onslaught of stimulants can have side effects, especially for people who consume excessive quantities of caffeine.
Caffeine
Caffeine is found in plants, including tea leaves, coffee, cocoa beans and kola nuts, and it can be made synthetically. The bitter substance is quickly absorbed by the bloodstream, passing directly to the brain to stimulate the central nervous system, boosting energy and alertness. People consume caffeine in coffee, tea, colas, chocolate and over-the-counter pain relievers and diet pills. The body has no nutritional requirement for caffeine.
Energy Boost
Many people can’t face everyday activities without their morning coffee. Others use it only occasionally to boost their energy for long road trips or late night study sessions. Caffeine can reduce the feeling of fatigue and improve your sense of performance. Many people feel an elevated mood and increased sense of well-being from caffeine. You might feel like you can think faster and that your physical and mental performance improve. Keep in mind that caffeine masks the feeling of fatigue; it doesn’t replenish you like actual rest. If you drink too much alcohol, coffee will not sober you up enough to drive safely.
Safe Intake
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Most people can safely drink up to 250 milligrams a day, according to the American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs. That’s the amount in three 8-ounce cups of coffee and five caffeinated soft drinks. But some people will feel adverse effects from only a small amount of caffeine. Children and pregnant or nursing women should drink less. Caffeine crosses the placenta and can affect embryos. If you have a hyperactive child, stick to a regimen of herbal tea and caffeine-free soft drinks.
Risks
Too much caffeine stresses the body. Signs of overuse include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, stomach pains, restlessness, tremors and vomiting. Over time, consuming too much caffeine can have more serious consequences. High levels of caffeine consumption are associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and fibrocystic disease. People who consume more than 1,000 mg of caffeine per day might development a syndrome called caffeinism. Symptoms include nervous twitches, extreme irritability and anxiety and even visual hallucinations.
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