Caffeine overdose is certainly conceivable. Furthermore, some scenarios, such as drinking coffee on an empty stomach, might give caffeine a bad name, even though it is the other factors at work that are producing the issues.
All this is to say that we support caffeine, but only in moderation. Too much caffeine will physically jack you up, especially if consumed in large quantities at once. But what is too much? We’ve got you covered, girl.
Your recommended daily caffeine dose
The FDA recommends that consumers use no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. That’s around four eight-ounce mugs of coffee.
Take note that we’re talking about eight-ounce cups. That’s rather little. Be especially cautious if you choose an energy drink. Many alternatives include up to 250 mg of caffeine per eight-ounce drink.
Is going over that limit really such a huge deal? If you just do it sometimes, probably not. However, if you do it too frequently, you risk caffeine poisoning.
Furthermore, even a single day of excessive caffeine use might result in certain unpleasant side effects.
Side effects of our most beloved, coffee-
Sleep disorders are one of the most common side effects of excessive coffee consumption. However, in addition to sleeplessness, excessive caffeine use can result in:
- Jitters
- Anxiousness
- Dehydration
- High blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- An upset stomach
- Heartburn
Clearly, consuming too much coffee may result in a slew of issues that leave you feeling far worse than when you began. You wouldn’t want to swap your sleepiness for the adverse effect you’re experiencing, would you?
We prescribe the following to assist you to prevent these unpleasant side effects:
Adding additional ingredients to caffeine
Consider what you eat in addition to your coffee. We enjoy matcha green tea because it contains caffeine as well as L-theanine, which has a relaxing effect. You might also add some ashwagandha to the mix to alleviate nervousness.
Consumption should be timed
When you consume coffee or tea on an empty stomach, it might cause digestive distress. If you use coffee to start your day, eat something with it. A fast smoothie with protein powder or a banana may suffice.
Then, limit your caffeine consumption at night. Even half of the caffeine you’ve taken might take your body up to six hours to digest. If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, you might be able to blame it on your afternoon drinking.
Caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person, so pay attention. If avoiding coffee after midday helps you sleep better, it’s certainly worth it.
Trying to do too much at once
Caffeine may actually be harmful in excess. Even if you don’t reach potentially harmful amounts, a lot all at once is frequently to blame for jitters or nausea. Limit yourself to 75-160 mg at a time. Wait around 30 minutes and see how you feel. You can always have more if you’re still pooped. However, there is no way to reverse the effects of too much caffeine other than to wait it out (yikes).
Getting savvy about where you get your caffeine
Some caffeine sources (think energy drinks and pre-workout) contain so much caffeine that your risk of negative effects is already quite high. Look to natural caffeine sources like matcha green tea and smaller cups of coffee to give your body a jolt without having to pay for it.
