Apart from oil, coffee is the most popular commodity sold worldwide and this goes to show how majority of us depend on coffee to get us going in the morning and keep us energized throughout the day. It is not just about coffee either, caffeine is found in almost everything including tea, energy drinks, sodas, as well as several other carbonated beverages. Let me show you some side effects caffeine on your body you may not have known.
Caffeine is often described as a drug and it is a completely natural stimulant. Caffeine is a chemical that is found in some common plants in nature such as tea leaves, coffee beans, cacao beans, and cola nuts. It has been consumed in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America for nearly a thousand years; however it only reached Europe a few hundred years ago. Also read healthy habits to incorporate in your daily lifestyle.
Over the years caffeine has fueled the work of countless entrepreneurs, politicians, writers, artists and philosophers. Today, most people usually depend on some sort of caffeinated beverage to get through the day. However, one must wonder does all this caffeine consumption pose a risk to our health?
Addictive Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the obvious caffeine side effects stem from its addictive properties. Many people who regularly consume caffeine usually depend on it to help them stay awake in the morning. Most people usually dread the idea of having to function in any meaningful capacity before their morning cup of coffee or tea. Many everyday caffeine users who don’t get their daily fix can begin to display some minor withdrawal symptoms. Some of the negative side effects that could occur from caffeine withdrawal can include:
-Being Somewhat Irritable
-Feeling Tired
-Being Slightly Grumpy.
-Minor Headache
-Mild Stomach Aches
Overdose Symptoms
Just like any other stimulant or drug on the market, caffeine has the potential to harmful when overly excessive amounts are ingested. Symptoms of a caffeine overdose are usually very similar to symptoms associated with caffeine withdrawal only usually more severe
Major leading cause of most energy drink side effects is caffeine which appears in the average, healthy, person when more than 250-300 mg is ingested.
Most Common Caffeine Side Effects on Your Body :
• Jitters, nervousness, and a faster heartbeat
• High blood pressure, dizziness, difficulty breathing
• Upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea
• Headache and trouble sleeping
• Breast shrinkage in women
• Allergic reaction like or itching, rash, hives
• Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation
• Cardiac arrest
Other energy drink side effects
Because there is handful of ingredients in every energy drink, caffeine is not the only possibly harmful substance. Below is a list of the most common ingredients and possible side effects.
Ingredients – Possible Side Effects:
• B-Vitamins – Excess of B3 or B6 can cause a burning sensation or flushing of the skin.
• Ginseng – Insomnia, tachycardia, headache.
• Taurine – No side effect evidence to date.
• Inositol – Diarrhea if too much is consumed.
• L-Theanine – High dose of green tea extract may cause light-headedness.
• L-Carnitine – Vomiting, headache, trouble breathing, insomnia.
• Ginkgo Biloba – Palpitations, Dizziness, possible interaction with blood thinners and other medications.
• Sugar – Tooth decay, obesity, diabetes.
• Artificial Sweeteners – There have been no evidence of side effects to date.
• Glucuronolactone – No side effects reported.
Dehydration
Sometimes long-distance runners have been known to drink coffee before a race. They feel it helps them to perform better by giving them a source of energy before their race. Some long-distance runners however will avoid any and all forms of caffeine. This is because caffeine has been occasionally known to cause dehydration in the human body.
If you’re running a half or full marathon (13 or 26 miles), it is important to keep your body very well hydrated. It’s not just athletes who worry about caffeine dehydration, but nutritionist and health experts as well. Many of them recommend drinking lots of water as well as limiting one’s caffeine intake to a reasonable dosage due to the possibility of dehydration.
It is clear that while reasonable amounts of caffeine might help to improve your productivity and focus, consuming too much can potentially cause some negative side effects on your body. It is important to stay hydrated when drinking anything with caffeine, and remember moderation is key.
