Drinking a cup of coffee to jump-start your day might be the best answer for most of us. Especially if you are about to have a long day occupied with meetings and tasks, caffeine has a way of taking you off the edge. However, have you ever wondered, “How much caffeine is too much?”
Caffeine aids in the increment of your energy level during the day, but if overused or abused can affect your body in several ways, and this is because caffeine is a stimulant. Caffeine is not only found in a cup of coffee. Soda, green tea, chocolate, and energy drinks contain caffeine.
Trying to find out how much caffeine is good for you can differ from person to person depending on their body weight, sensitivity and medication the person is taking.
How much caffeine should you have in a day?
Caffeine is not recommended for everybody. Some people are allowed to consume it, and others should not. People who should avoid the intake of caffeine are;
- Children
- Those who take anti-anxiety drugs
- Women who are nursing or pregnant
- People who have heart disease or high blood pressure
Caffeine is harmless in moderation if you are otherwise healthy. Here are the limits;
- Healthy persons should not consume over 400 milligrams (mg) daily caffeine. That is around four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee or ten cans of cola.
- Teenagers should consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine daily (one 8-ounce cup of coffee or about two cans of cola).
Side effects of too much caffeine
Caffeine, as a stimulant, can increase your energy, improve your physical and mental performance, and even help you burn fat.
However, more is not always necessarily better. Caffeine overdose can result in unpleasant and even dangerous adverse effects, such as
Anxiety
Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system, causing you to feel agitated, jittery, and irritated.
Caffeine reduction can help keep those adverse effects at bay. However, if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you should avoid caffeine altogether.
Insomnia
If you have a terrible night’s sleep, you may turn to coffee to assist you in getting through the next day. The problem is that too much can keep you up the next night.
Prevent caffeine in the afternoon and evening to avoid disturbing your precious sleep.
Dehydration
Caffeine has diuretic properties(it makes you pee). Furthermore, if you drink coffee all day, you are probably not drinking enough water. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water in addition to any caffeinated beverages.
Heartburns and stomach upset
The production of stomach acid may be increased by caffeine.
Coffee acids can exacerbate the condition, but coffee is not the only main reason. Caffeine from soda and other sources can also cause acid reflux. Caffeine overdose might lead to gastric problems.
High blood pressure
According to certain studies, caffeine might induce moderate heart rate and blood pressure increases. That rise could be dangerous in persons with high blood pressure or other cardiac problems.
Caffeine has a unique effect on each individual. Caffeine usage should be reduced if you are feeling discomfort. Depending on the amount of caffeine you regularly drink, quitting at once may result in withdrawal symptoms. Slowly reducing your intake can help keep these symptoms at bay. If you are concerned about how caffeine affects you, consult your doctor.