If you rely on caffeine to wake you up and get on with your day, you’re not alone. Millions of people depend on caffeine every day to stabilize alertness and improve their concentration.
how much caffeine is too much?
Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That’s about the amount of caffeine in four cups of coffee, 10 cans of cola, or two energy drinks. keep in mind that the actual caffeine content of beverages varies greatly, especially among energy drinks.
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Caffeine in powder or liquid form can provide toxic levels of caffeine, the US Food and Drug Administration has announced. a single teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equivalent to about 28 cups of coffee. those high levels of caffeine can cause serious health problems and possibly death.
Although the use of caffeine may be safe for adults, it is not a good idea for children. adolescents and young adults need to be warned about excessive caffeine intake and mixing caffeine with alcohol and other medications.
Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant and breastfeeding should talk to their doctors about limiting caffeine use to less than 200 mg daily.
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Even among adults, excessive caffeine consumption can cause unpleasant side effects. and caffeine may not be a good choice for people who are highly sensitive to its effects or who take certain medications.
read on to find out if you might need to slow down your caffeine routine.
you drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day
you may want to reduce your caffeine intake if you are drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day (or the equivalent) and have side effects such as:
- headache;
- insomnia;
- nervousness;
- irritability;
- frequent urination or inability to control urination;
- tachycardia;
- muscle tremors.
- ephedrine. Mixing caffeine with this medication, which is used in decongestants, can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or seizures.
- theophylline. This medication, which is used to open the bronchial airways, tends to have some effects similar to those of caffeine. therefore, taking it with caffeine might increase the adverse effects of caffeine, such as nausea and heart palpitations.
- echinacea. Sometimes used to prevent colds or other infections, this herbal supplement can increase the concentration of caffeine in the blood and its unpleasant effects.
- Be vigilant. Begin to pay attention to the amount of caffeine you consume in food and beverages, including energy drinks. read the labels well. some foods or beverages do not list caffeine, so your intake estimate may be lower than it actually is.
- reduce caffeine gradually. For example, drink one less can of soda or one smaller cup of coffee each day. o Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks at night. this will help your body get used to lower levels of caffeine and thus you can lessen the possible effects of withdrawal.
- consume decaffeinated. Most decaffeinated beverages look and taste the same as their caffeinated version.
- Shorten brew time or start drinking tea. When brewing tea, brew for less time. this reduces its caffeine content. or choose herbal teas that are caffeine-free.
- check ingredients. Some over-the-counter pain relievers contain caffeine. choose caffeine-free pain relievers instead.
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even a small amount can make you feel tense
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. if you are susceptible to the effects of caffeine, even small amounts can cause unwanted effects, such as excitement and sleep problems.
How you react to caffeine may be determined in part by how much caffeine you’re used to drinking. people who do not drink regular caffeine tend to be more sensitive to its effects.
you’re not getting enough sleep
Caffeine, even in the afternoon, can interfere with your sleep. even small amounts of sleep loss can add up and disrupt your alertness and performance throughout the day.
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using caffeine to hide sleep deprivation can create an unwanted cycle. For example, you may drink caffeinated drinks because you have trouble staying awake during the day. but caffeine makes it hard to fall asleep at night and shortens sleep time.
you are taking medication or supplements
Some medications and herbal supplements can interact with caffeine. for example:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if caffeine might affect the medications you take.
how to control the habit of consuming caffeine
Reducing your caffeine intake can be a challenge, either for one of the above reasons or because you want to spend less money on coffee. A sharp decrease in caffeine can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually mild and improve after a few days.
To cut back on caffeine, try these tips:
in summary
If you’re like most adults, caffeine is part of your daily routine. in general, it will not pose a health problem. but be aware of the potential side effects of caffeine and be prepared to cut back if necessary.
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