Harmful Effects of Caffeine

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How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? by Sharon Hopkins

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Caffeine’s effects are desired by all, but when consumed in excess it can be harmful to the body.

Caffeine helps to eliminate the tired foggy feeling and lifts your mood in less than an hour after its consumption. It is the most popular behavior-altering drug and is used by 9 out of 10 Americans to drive away fatigue. Moderate caffeine consumption (200-300mg) is not harmful for most of the healthy individuals, but due to some circumstances like use of some medications or caffeine sensitivity, a person might need to limit his/her caffeine consumption.

If you are experiences any of the incidences mentioned below you need to trim your caffeine consumption.

Symptoms - caffeine when consumed in unhealthy amounts can cause anxiety, headaches, irritability, restlessness, muscle tremors, nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances and abnormal heart rhythm.
Caffeine sensitivity - will depend on body mass, regular caffeine consumption, stress, age smoking or other health conditions. There is a simple rule for people with caffeine sensitivity – the more caffeine sensitivity you have, the less caffeine you consume.
Caffeine and sleep – sleep deprivation due to caffeine consumption can affect the health in a negative way. It can cause mood swings, impaired memory, lack of concentration, poor performance and may disturb your day time functions. Caffeine may also interfere with deep sleep by waking you number of times in the night.

Eight hours before your desired bedtime, avoid any caffeinated beverages.
Medications negative interaction – some type of antibacterial medications may interfere with caffeine breakdown and remain for a longer time in the body. Theophylline (a bronchodilator) taken along with caffeinated beverages and foods can cause ill effects like nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations.

Ephedra (an herb) although banned by Food and Drug Association in medical preparations, may be present in some herbal teas, when used along with caffeine can be detrimental for health.

Tips to curb caffeine consumption

Caffeine can be addictive, so to break this habit can be often challenging. Caffeine if stopped abruptly can cause many withdrawal symptoms like headache, nervousness, fatigue, irritability, temporary depression and muscle ache.

Reduce gradually, about 25% of your total caffeine consumption every week. For this you can use smaller serving size or can combine decaffeinated beverages with caffeinated ones.
Brew coffee or tea for less time while preparing, or choose herbal teas where caffeine is absent.
There are chances that unknowingly you might consume more caffeine, to avoid this check the nutritional label on the products for caffeine content before you consume them.
Include healthy options like fresh fruit juices, water, milk, flavored seltzer, decaffeinated soda or tea instead of caffeinated beverages, soft drinks, sodas and other caffeine rich drinks.