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For many Americans, the morning routine is not complete without a cup of coffee. He National Coffee Association reports that the average American drinks just over three cups a day. And some people choose to get caffeine through energy drinks or caffeine pills.
While everyone’s tolerance is different, there is a limit to how much caffeine people can have in their systems. Trembling fingers and a racing heartbeat are common signs that you’re consuming too much caffeine. In rarer cases, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to a condition called caffeine poisoning or caffeine overdose.
Caffeine poisoning occurs when a person has dangerously high levels of caffeine in their system. It creates a range of unpleasant and serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and seizures. There are some cases where people have died due to caffeine poisoning.
While rare, there is always the possibility of caffeine poisoning if a person drinks irresponsibly. Recognizing the signs and factors that increase the risk of a caffeine overdose can help you avoid it in the first place.
Caffeine poisoning is more than the headache that comes from drinking too much espresso. It occurs when people ingest an excessive amount of caffeine. He US Food and Drug Administration defines this limit as just over 400 milligrams of caffeine per day for healthy adults. This is equivalent to four or five cups of coffee.
Consuming just over 400 milligrams of caffeine is not enough to kill or permanently harm someone, said Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian at EKP Nutrition Communications in New Jersey. The average adult will probably feel anxious and irritable. The most toxic effects of caffeine poisoning appear when people have 1,200 milligramsabout 12 cups of coffee, in your body.
Oleg Breslavtsev/Momento RF/Getty Images
That morning cup of coffee may affect you differently than it does your friend.
Caffeine poisoning creates a variety of seriously harmful effects on the body.
Nima Majlesi, director of medical toxicology at Staten Island University Hospital, said the stimulant effects of caffeine disrupt the normal heart rhythm, causing abnormal heartbeats and possible cardiac arrest. Additionally, Palinski-Wade said people who overdose on caffeine may experience gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Since coffee increases urination, Majlesi said people with too much caffeine risk depleting essential minerals. especially potassium. Low potassium levels, or hypokalemiaIt can damage muscles to the point of possible paralysis, cause difficulty breathing due to weakened respiratory muscles, and prevent the kidneys from doing their job.
Several symptoms of caffeine poisoning are also neurological. Documented cases They have reported anxiety, hallucinations, migraines, brain swelling, and seizures.
While extremely rare, caffeine poisoning can become fatal. Most accidental caffeine-related deaths are related to taking multiple high dose caffeine pills. Caffeine pills are not regulated by the FDA, so their dosages vary depending on the brand.
Palinski-Wade said most caffeine pills are around 300 milligrams, so taking a second one would already exceed the recommended caffeine intake of 400 milligrams. “As with any supplement, caffeine pills should be used with caution,” she added. “I would even discuss this with your healthcare provider because the pills are absorbed faster into the body and the amount could put you at risk for more side effects.”
If you experience more than a few jitters and suspect caffeine poisoning, go to the emergency room immediately, Majlesi recommended. She explained that doctors can use hemodialysis to filter caffeine from the blood. If a person consumed large amounts of caffeine in an hour or two, Majlesi added that doctors may also dispense activated carbonwhich binds to caffeine and prevents it from being absorbed in the intestine.
Doctors will also administer medications to stabilize the patient and treat severe symptoms. For example, Majlesi said beta blockers and benzodiazepines are often prescribed to treat neurological problems such as hallucinations and seizures.
Both Majlesi and Palinski-Wade recommended monitoring the amount of caffeine consumed daily. Coffee is a popular source of caffeine, but products such as soda, green tea, and cocoa can increase caffeine intake.
Majlesi warned against energy drinks and caffeinated powders due to high concentrations of caffeine. Both products are supplements and can also contain large amounts of sugar and other stimulants such as guarana.
Once you’ve decided on your caffeinated beverage, Palinski-Wade advised drinking water throughout the day. Staying hydrated can help replenish water-soluble vitamins, since caffeine is a diuretic.
Having food in your stomach, especially a food rich in protein and fiber, can also help by allowing the body to absorb caffeine over a longer period of time, Palinski-Wade said. “You may experience fewer side effects than if you took it on an empty stomach,” she added.
Ultimately, caffeine poisoning can be prevented. The most important thing is to listen to your body and what it can tolerate, Palinski-Wade said. So the next time you look at an empty cup, take a moment and see if you really need to refill it or if you’d be better off taking a water break.
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira is a freelance science and health journalist based in New York.