Consuming coffee or tea on a daily basis is definitely not unheard of for many people nowadays. People drink caffeinated beverages like these, not only because they may enjoy the taste, but they also may like that caffeine can help them wake up in the morning. Caffeine can improve alertness and increase concentration. However, having too much caffeine can cause some significant health problems and side effects you may want to be aware of.
Health issues and side effects of caffeine
Having too much caffeine can cause some undesirable side effects, such as headaches, irritability, nervousness, insomnia and even muscle tremors. You may even experience inability to control urination as well as having to urinate frequently. Caffeine can also cause a fast heartbeat. Some studies have suggested caffeine can contribute to heart disease however the evidence has been inconclusive on this point.
Interaction with other substances
Caffeine when consumed along with certain other substances can be detrimental, dangerous, and even deadly in some cases. It is known that mixing caffeine with alcohol can cause some issues for people. This goes with other types of drugs and intoxicants as well.
Mixing caffeine with some medications or supplements have also been shown to be detrimental to your health. Ephedrine which is taken to treat low blood pressure can result in serious side effects when mixed with caffeine. This combination has been shown to increase risk of high blood pressure, seizures, heart attacks and strokes.
Teophylline, a medication for opening bronchial airways, when mixed with caffeine may result in heart palpitations. You may even experience nausea when mixing caffeine with this medication.
An herbal supplement, Echinacea, may have some undesirable side effects when combined with caffeine. The combination of caffeine with this herbal supplement may exacerbate caffeine concentration in your blood which can increase caffeine’s undesirable side effects. Echinacea is sometimes utilized to prevent colds and other types of infections.
How much caffeine is too much?
Around 400 mg of caffeine is considered a safe limit for daily caffeine consumption for most adults. This is approximately four cups of brewed coffee. For pregnant women or women aiming for pregnancy the suggested limit is no more than 200 mgs per day. However, even if you do stay within the suggested limits of caffeine consumption you may still experience unwanted side effects, such as insomnia. You should understand everybody’s sensitivity to caffeine will vary. Therefore, adjust your daily intake in accordance with your own body.
Also, refrain from consuming caffeine with alcohol, other intoxicants and medications which may cause adverse reactions when combined with caffeine.
Moderating caffeine intake
If you are already drinking more than the suggested daily intake of caffeine you will want to take action to decrease how much you consume. You can do this by beginning to track exactly how much you are consuming and start gradually cutting back. Perhaps switching to decaffeinated coffee is an option for you. Whether you simply decrease your caffeine intake or completely quit, the point is to not pose any danger to your health.