Eight symptoms of caffeine overload

Tea and coffee have become very popular beverages. Caffeinated drinks are a common way for people to start their day and end it strong. But what happens when we start to think about how much caffeine we are actually consuming?

Caffeinated beverages are popular because of their stimulant effects. Evidence suggests that caffeine may help improve energy, cognition and exercise performance. Some positive effects of the chemical on inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, neurologic diseases and autoimmunity have also been examined. But despite the potential benefits of caffeine, it’s important to remember the possible downsides.

How much is too much?

First, it is important to recognise that individuals may have different thresholds for what is too much. Each person metabolises caffeine differently. For a slow metaboliser, 200mg is the maximum. This would be equivalent to two cups of coffee. 400mg is for fast metabolisers.

Here are some side effects that may be experienced if caffeine intake is not being counted.

• High blood pressure

This is a common side effect to caffeine. It can cause serious health problems for those with heart disease or people suffering from medical conditions.

Caffeine should be avoided before going to bed for similar reasons. Most people will have trouble sleeping if they consume energy drinks at night.

• Kidney damage

High levels of caffeine can cause complications in people with diabetes and kidney disease. An experiment found that 16oz (or 16 cups) of an energy drink are equivalent to four cups of coffee, three cups tea or five cans of Coke.

• Dental problems

Sugary energy drinks may cause dental problems. Drinking these drinks can cause enamel to deteriorate and can lead to tooth erosion, hypersensitivity and cavities.

• Weakness and dehydration

Energy drinks can provide an energy boost, and as such is often consumed while exercising or playing sports. These drinks can cause dehydration if they are not accompanied by fluids as caffeine can lead to fluid loss.

• Spasms and muscle twitches

If the body is exposed to too much caffeine or for a long time, it may experience cramping or erraticism.

• Anxiety

Genetic variations can cause this effect in some people. If there are variations in the adenosine receptors of people who consume energy drinks regularly, they can feel anxious. Anxiety can be caused by energy drinks’ high caffeine levels.

• Heart palpitations

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can increase heart rate, which can lead to palpitations and fluttering. Caffeine can also cause other problems later in life.

• Erectile dysfunction

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, (NHANES), men who drank two to three cups of caffeinated drinks per day – in other words in moderation – were less likely to experience erectile dysfunction. The problem arises (or rather, doesn’t!) with excessive consumption.

The strongest link between caffeine and ED was found in obese and overweight men. Caffeine did not provide any ED-related benefits for diabetics.

Hidden sources of caffeine

Drinking energy drinks can lead to excessive caffeine intake, which can cause high levels of other harmful substances.

Caffeine consumers should also consider other options to replace these substances in their caffeinated beverages. Although cafe mocha may be a tasty treat, it can contain up to 35g of sugar per medium-sized drink.

What next?

The first thing to do is to look at the quality and quantity of regular caffeine intake.

Next, it might be worth taking a genetic test to determine if a caffeine metabolism is rapid or slow. This could help with understanding limits.

It is important to know how much caffeine should be consumed and for how long in order to reap the benefits. A person may like espresso but do they really need three cups over an hour to focus on a presentation at work? It’s unlikely. It is possible to improve performance in various tasks by taking smaller amounts over a longer time period. This is called caffeine microdosing. It can help with finding the right dose for a particular body.

The bottom line

Every person is different and will have their own preferences regarding the amount of caffeine they should consume. It is best to be aware of any signs that too much caffeine is being consumed to ensure optimal health.

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