Too Much Caffeine
Caffeine is one of those things that keeps the world running. Myself, and so many people at Western, drink caffeine every day. Working at T-Rex Grill, I notice that a lot of people come through to get many different kinds of caffeine. The top three drinks people tend to get are coffee, energy drinks, or soda, and all contain different levels of caffeine. Caffeine, for as much as we rely on it, isn’t always great for us.
So why is caffeine so bad for the body? What happens when we consume too much caffeine? When you consume high amounts of caffeine, your body starts to experience several things such as heightened anxiety, dizziness, heart palpitations, heartburn, increased irritability, jitteriness, trouble sleeping, and other symptoms. Typically, these can occur when you consume about 300 milligrams of caffeine or more, although amounts can differ per person. That's about the equivalent of about four cups of coffee, or about three 12 oz Red Bull (a single 12 oz can of Red Bull has 114 milligrams of caffeine in it). So how much caffeine can an adult consume on a daily basis and it still be safe? According to the Mayo Clinic, a safe amount of caffeine you can have daily is up to 400 milligram, but even then it’s not recommended to consume that much caffeine every single day.
So what are some benefits that you can feel from caffeine? While there have been quite a few side effects that can come from consuming too much caffeine, there are also quite a few benefits. When you consume under 400 milligrams, you are more likely to be alert, as caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel tired. Caffeine can also help your mood, when the adenosine is blocked, your dopamine and norepinephrine levels increase. Another thing that caffeine does is help you focus, and if you have ADHD or suspect that you might have ADHD, caffeine has been shown to help people focus.
So, just because something has caffeine in it, doesn’t mean you should avoid it or drink an excessive amount of it. I know that as a college student, I consume a lot of caffeine between Red Bull and coffee. If you start experiencing any of the side effects that I listed above, I would highly suggest you consider cutting back. With that, midterms are rapidly approaching, so maybe think about different alternatives with or without caffeine that could help you get through a study session or just through the day. Consider things like green, black, or peppermint tea, lemon water, a good multivitamin, a light morning workout, and many more.
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