Are You Getting the Right Dose?
Who can say no to the smell of coffee early in the morning? Coffee is often dubbed as the world’s favorite beverage, and it’s easy to see why. The aroma alone is more than enough to perk you up, and a few sips can instantly boost your mood and get you ready to face the day ahead.
But just like anything else, too much of a good thing can also end up bad. While low to moderate caffeine amounts can be considered safe, high doses might compromise your health.
Is There Such a Thing as Drinking Too Much Caffeine?
Unfortunately, yes, there is. The truth is that a lot of people tend to drink too much caffeine. To prevent it from happening, young people should avoid consuming more than 100mg of caffeine daily.
Pregnant women, on the other hand, can still get their coffee fix every morning as long as it is not more than 200mg of caffeine. It is because caffeine’s exact side effects on babies aren’t fully understood and studied yet.
But it is important to remember that healthy caffeine intake has a different definition for different people. To know what a healthy intake of caffeine is, it is important to consider the weight, age, and overall health of a person to determine the specific amount that can be safely consumed.
How Long Does the Human Body Process Caffeine?
Just so you know, caffeine stays in the blood from 1.5 to 9.5 hours. It means that it takes this length of time for your blood’s caffeine levels to fall to half the original amount. This wide time range makes it tricky to identify the exact caffeine amount that can lead to an overdose.
Risks and Causes of a Caffeine Overdose
A caffeine overdose can occur if you consume the substance at levels higher than usual through drinks, medications, or food. But some people might ingest more than the suggested amounts without experiencing discomfort or showing any symptoms.
However, it is not advisable or safe because high caffeine doses can lead to some serious health issues including seizures, irregular rhythms, and hormonal imbalance.
If you are a rare coffee drinker, for instance, your body may be extra sensitive. In cases like this, you might want to avoid too much caffeine consumption. But still, even if you always consume high amounts of caffeine, it is recommended to stop the moment you notice any discomfort or negative symptoms.
Symptoms of a Caffeine Overdose
Several types of discomfort may occur if you are experiencing a caffeine overdose. However, the sad news is that there are instances when the body doesn’t produce any warning signals until it is already too late.
You may experience any of the following symptoms of a caffeine overdose:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Thirst
More severe symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Trouble breathing
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Seizures
- Vomiting
A dose of caffeine is always a great way to begin your day, but make sure you don’t go overboard to avoid an overdose.