Whether you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a dreary morning or trying to survive the world’s longest staff meeting, caffeine seems to be a good answer. But is your reliance on caffeine helpful or harmful?
True, it can increase your energy and help you power through your day, but you can overdo it.
“Caffeine is a stimulant, and it affects your body in several ways,” How much caffeine is too much? You have to weigh the risks and benefits.”
How much caffeine should you have in a day?
That depends on who you are. Caffeine isn’t safe for everyone. Some people should avoid caffeine, including:
Children.
People taking anti-anxiety medications.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People with heart disease or high blood pressure.
If you’re otherwise healthy, caffeine is safe in moderation. Here are the boundaries.
Healthy adults shouldn’t consume more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day. That’s equal to about four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee or 10 cans of cola.
Teens should limit their caffeine intake to less than 100 mg per day (one 8-ounce cup of coffee or about two cans of cola).
Side effects of too much caffeine
Of course, caffeine isn’t all terrible. As a stimulant, caffeine can boost your energy, improve physical and mental performance and even help you burn fat.
But more isn’t always better. Over-caffeinating can lead to side effects that can be unpleasant and even unsafe, including:
Insomnia
If you had a rough night’s sleep, you might reach for coffee to help get through the next day. Trouble is, too much of it can keep you up the following night. “It becomes a vicious cycle,” Czerwony says.
To avoid disrupting your precious slumber, skip caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
Anxiety
“Caffeine excites your central nervous system,” Czerwony explains. “That can result in feeling anxious, jittery and irritable.”
Cutting back on caffeine can help keep those side effects in check. But if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you might want to avoid caffeine altogether.
Heart palpitations and racing heart
Lots of people experience heart palpitations along with anxiety. Caffeine can make both worse.
Heart palpitations can make you feel like your heart is racing, fluttering or skipping a beat. Though they aren’t usually dangerous, they can be alarming — a good reason to skip that double espresso.
Dehydration
Caffeine has a diuretic effect — aka, it makes you pee. Plus, if you’re sipping coffee all day, you’re probably not drinking enough water. To avoid becoming dehydrated, make sure to drink plenty of water along with any caffeinated beverages.
High blood pressure
Some research shows that caffeine can cause mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In people who already have high blood pressure or other heart problems, that increase could spell trouble.
Heartburn and stomach upset
“Caffeine can aggravate the production of stomach acid,” Czerwony says. The result: uncomfortable heartburn symptoms.
Acids in coffee can add to the problem, but coffee isn’t the only culprit. Caffeine in soda and other sources can also trigger acid reflux. “Too much caffeine can cause stomach issues,” she adds.
Caffeine toxicity
Very high levels of caffeine can be dangerous. That’s one reason Czerwony recommends steering clear of energy drinks and energy shots, which can contain much more caffeine than a strong cup of coffee.
Weight loss supplements can also contain caffeine, and an overdose could cause serious — and potentially deadly — heart rhythm problems.
Caffeine withdrawal
If you’re used to guzzling a lot of caffeine, your body can go through withdrawal when you stop. Skip your usual pot of coffee and you’ll probably be rewarded with a splitting headache.
Caffeine users can also experience rebound fatigue. Caffeine helps you feel awake in the short term. When it wears off, though, you might be hit with a wave of tiredness that’s even worse than you felt pre-coffee.
Like most things in life- moderation is key and its also very important to listen to your body and watch how it responds.
There are many different alternatives not just to coffee but also to supplements that might contain too m inch caffeine and might just not be agreeing with you.
Take the time to educate yourself and research, remember as we like to say at Six Pack Abs “Don’t settle for okay, Demand the best.”
If you’re looking for an alternative form of energy with LESS caffeine, check out Energy+
