Caffeine in moderation is good for you as it has many health benefits. However, too much intake will give you serious health issues.
We all love our coffee and tea — the problem is that many of us overdo it and run into health problems.
Coffee and tea are incredibly healthy beverages. Drunk in moderation, caffeine can boost our mood, metabolism, mental and physical performance. The flip side is that excessive caffeine consumption can mess with your health — sometimes in dangerous ways.
Caffeine: Effects of Too Much
Too much intake triggers the release of adrenaline, a brain chemical that makes you feel drowsy. At high doses, it can lead to anxiety and nervousness.
In fact, anxiety disorder is one of four caffeine-related syndromes listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Extremely high daily intakes of 1,000 mg of caffeine per day have been reported to cause nervousness and the jitters.
To put this in perspective, a large (“grande”) coffee at Starbucks contains about 330 mg of caffeine. Drink 3 of these a day and you are on your way to serious anxiety.
Caffeine: Insomnia
It has the ability to help people stay awake is one of its most prized qualities. But, too much can lead to serious sleep deprivation. This is especially true for senior citizens.
A strong coffee or tea can last in your system for up to nine hours. Sleep deprivation affects your ability to focus, alertness, cognitive and physical performance. And, for example, some energy drinks that come in a can contain about 500 mg of caffeine.
Indigestion
It is an excellent laxative. It stimulates bowel movements by increasing peristalsis, the contractions that move food through your digestive tract.
Too much of it, however, can result in indigestion, acid reflux (GERD Disease), diarrhea, and ulcers.
The laxative effect is due to the release of gastrin, a hormone the stomach produces that speeds up the activity in the colon.
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