For many of us the first thing we do when we wake up is reach for a cup of our favorite caffeinated drink to get the day started. For some, a cup of coffee is a fine line between being described as one of the seven dwarves from Snow White. But we’re not alone, according to the International Coffee Organization, approximately 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day. But what does consuming caffeine actually do to our bodies? While the instant effects of coffee and other caffeinated beverages have its perks, too much caffeine from any stimulant drink has short term and long term effects. These stimulant drinks include tea, coffee, and “energy drinks.”
Because caffeine can stay in your system for four to six hours (and potentially even longer for some people), it’s easy to overdo it and begin feeling the negative repercussions of a caffeine overdose – sick, anxious, jittery, etc. Caffeine, after all, is really a stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.
So, what exactly happens to our bodies when we have too much caffeine?
While studies show the effects of caffeine on a person come down to individual tolerance and how the caffeine is consumed, typical negative symptoms of over-caffeination include:
• Breathing trouble
• Changes in alertness, or feeling “wired”
• Confusion
• Diarrhea, vomiting, digestive issues
• Dizziness and fainting
• Fever
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Irregular heartbeat and palpitations
• Sweating
• Muscle twitching
• Rapid heartbeat
• Hallucinations
These symptoms occur when the central nervous system is overstimulated and overcompensating for the sudden increase in stimulatory chemicals flushed into the stomach, where 80% of our immune tissue is located. Once processed in the stomach caffeine often causes excessive acid which may cause heartburn or an upset stomach. Extra caffeine does not get stored in the body. Instead, it is processed through the liver and exits through the urine. This is why you may have an increase in urination shortly after consuming caffeine.
HealthLine breaks down more depth how caffeine effects individual systems in the body, such as – digestive and excretory systems, circulatory and respiratory systems, skeletal and muscular systems, and reproductive system. Click to learn more on caffeine’s effects on each system. And click here to see 13 proven negative effects of coffee.
Now, if you’re like most people who have a habit of regularly consuming caffeine to get your day started you most likely have experienced the common side effect of caffeine withdrawal. Our bodies can become dependent on caffeine and many people experience the accompanied caffeine withdrawal headaches if they don’t have their daily fix, amongst other possible withdrawal symptoms.
You’re in luck, though! There are several healthy caffeine replacements available to aid in the weening off process that do not give you withdrawal symptoms. Some of our favorite replacements that have been tested by our office for taste and quality are:
Coffee Fix
Latte Fix
MSM Morning Mix
Coffee Fix is great if you just love having that morning coffee taste but are dreading going through the caffeine headaches and becoming known as Grumpy. This product has been found by many to be a miraculous coffee replacement that can transition a coffee drinker without any withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches.
For the more stylish caffeine drinker, Latte Fix offers a deliciously rich and creamy morning drink that is full of a unique combination of herbs, cinnamon, and sugar free sweeteners that fuel a healthy metabolism.
Lastly, MSM Morning Mix is designed to be drunk first thing in the morning to support healthy inflammation levels with a flush of potent vitamins and minerals designed to detoxify, hydrate, and nourish your cells.
Remember, everything is best in moderation. If we are consuming too much caffeine it can cause inflammation in the digestive and excretory system, cardiac palpitations, and more. The Mayo Clinic notes that we should limit our caffeine intake to a maximum of 400 milligrams (mg) in healthy adults. But, aside from just the caffeine in stimulant drinks it’s important to look into the other ingredients in the caffeinated beverage you’re consuming. Coffee itself has health benefits, but if you’re adding in sugar, dairy, and flavoring it diminishes the health benefits of the coffee. Let alone the immense amount of sugars and chemicals present in "energy drinks" like, Red Bull, Rockstar, GoGirl, etc. Know what you’re consuming and how its effecting you, your health, and your wellbeing.
