For coffee and tea lovers, it is good to know that these beverages are healthy and can provide useful benefits to the body. However, excess consumption of coffee and tea can increase caffeine. This is a substance that can boost both physical and mental performance of people. Consuming high doses can have negative effects of caffeine in the body. Also, some researches have shown genes as a major factor in the body’s tolerance to caffeine. Some people can drink more highly caffeinated drinks without experiencing caffeine side effects.
The following are possible side effects of having too much caffeine in the body.
1. Anxiety
This substance is known to alleviate alertness in people. However, caffeine overdose in the diet can also lead to anxiety as well as a feeling of nervousness. One can develop a condition called caffeine-induced anxiety disorder that is according to the American Psychiatric Association. Some individuals are very sensitive to caffeine. They can experience jitter, nervousness, and other similar symptoms leading to anxiety. Some severe signs of anxiety caused by overconsumption of caffeine are rapid breathing.
A study with 25 healthy men found out that those who took 300 mg of this substance experience increasing levels of stress compared to placebo.
2. Insomnia
Some consume a high amount of caffeine to stay awake for a longer time, but the bad side effects of coffee are the inability to get good enough sleep. There are several studies found out that overdose increases the time a person takes to get some sleep. Some also recorded decrease sleeping time, especially in elders. Aside from coffee and tea, caffeine is also abundant in soda, energy drinks, and cocoa as well as in other types of drugs.
Research conducted recorded that caffeine can stay in the system for at least five hours but it goes as long as nine hours depending on one person to another. Researchers suggested that it is vital to take note of the amount and timing of consuming foods high in caffeine to avoid affecting your sleep.
3. Digestive Problems
Caffeine has a laxative effect that can increase the activity inside the colon by releasing gastrin. This is a type of hormone found in the stomach that is responsible for the normal function of the colon. Other effects of caffeine are its ability to increase the movement of the peristalsis that can promote bowel movement. Caffeine overdose can lead to loose bowel and diarrhea.
Another study linked this substance to increase symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. A small study in five adults who consumed caffeinated water experiences relaxation of the muscle that is responsible for preventing food from going to the throat. Side effects of coffee can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
4. Rapid Muscle Breakdown
Several types of research linked caffeine in an increased risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, but this is a very rare condition. This health condition is characterized by damage fiber in the muscles that can enter into the bloodstream that leads to kidney problems as well as other serious health conditions.
There is a case when a woman who drank 1 liter of coffee with 565 mg of caffeine experienced vomiting, nausea as well as dark urine. She was able to recover after treating with medications and an ample amount of liquid in the body to flush the bad effects of caffeine.
5. Habit Forming
Some review studies found out that caffeine has the same effect as amphetamines and cocaine that can trigger brain chemicals that make it addictive to a person. Caffeine overdose can lead to the dependency of the substance.
A study was done in 213 caffeine users who were asked not to take it for 16 hours recorded increase in withdrawal symptoms such as headache and fatigue compared to a group of noncaffeine users.
6. Increase Heart Rate
The substance is known to have a stimulatory effect that can cause a rapid heart rate. Aside from this, health professionals linked it in atrial fibrillation which is common to young people who are fond of drinking energy drinks that contain a high amount of caffeine. A controlled study of 51 patients suffering from heart failure recorded alleviated heart rates after consuming 100 mg of caffeine.
