Caffeine Overdose?

Many of us enjoy the taste of a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, but the main reason to get your morning brew on is not for the taste, but rather for the caffeine. What is caffeine? Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in many plants, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts found in soda, and cacao pods which are used to make chocolate candies. There is also a synthetic form of caffeine, which is made by people, and can be found in food, drinks and medicines. Synthetic caffeine is commonly found in energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar.  

What does caffeine do to the body? Caffeine directly effects your body’s metabolism, which can have positive and negative effects on your body.

• Positive effects of caffeine on the human body:
  • Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which helps give you a boost when you are tired or need a little bit of energy.
  • Caffeine can act as a diuretic, which means that it will aid your body in getting rid of salt and water via urination.

• Negative effects of caffeine on the human body:
  • Caffeine increases the release of acid in your stomach, which can cause discomfort and/or heartburn.
  • Caffeine has the ability to prevent your body’s absorption of calcium, which is important for staying healthy.
  • Enough caffeine can increase your body’s blood pressure.

Is too much caffeine bad for you? The answer is yes. Moderation is the key to everything we ingest, caffeine is no exception. The average person is able to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Consuming more than the recommended maximum amount could lead to minor or serious health problems.

It is important to note how much caffeine is found in the following drinks:

• Regular Coffee (1 cup): 100-200 milligrams
• Decaffeinated Coffee (1 cup): 10 milligrams
• Tea (1 cup): 15-65 milligrams
• Soda (1 can): 30-50 milligrams

If you think that you might consume too much caffeine or maybe you are having a problem with the amount you are taking in, it is important to keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

• Shaking: the most common symptom
• Trouble Sleeping
• Headaches and/or Dizziness
• Fast Heart Beat
• Dehydration

Dr. Dharia and his team at Palm Beach Internal Medicine are here to help navigate you through all of the health obstacles that you may encounter. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms give them a call and see how they can help you feel better.