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What Are the Side Effects of Consuming Too Much Caffeine?

From the first drink of coffee in the morning to the energy drink that fuels our late afternoon and evening, many of us consume large quantities of caffeine throughout the day. Whether you are a seasoned drinker of caffeine or someone who has large quantities on occasion, it is possible to have too much caffeine in your system. Too much caffeine can cause both short- and long-term side effects.

  1. What is Caffeine?

    • Caffeine is a stimulant that helps keep a person awake. It is found in many beverages, and small amounts can be found in certain foods. Caffeine is also a key ingredient in many medications. Caffeine works by stimulating the heart. In the United States, the average person has at least 230mg of caffeine in their daily diet, though many people consume more than that.

    Jitters

    • Getting the jitters is a common side effect in someone who consumes large quantities of caffeine. The severity of the jitters varies from person to person, but many report nervousness and an inability to sit still. This is common among those who consume large quantities of energy drinks or dietary supplements that are designed to keep a person awake. Jitters decrease over time as the caffeine passes through the system. It's important to note that most beverages that have large amounts of caffeine are not meant to be consumed in one setting. Most cans of energy drinks contain at least two serving sizes.

    Rapid Heartbeat

    • Heavy caffeine drinkers may be susceptible to rapid, irregular heartbeat if they overindulge in products that contain caffeine. Those who experience rapid heartbeat feel as if their heart is going to beat out of their chest. Like the jitters, rapid heartbeat goes away gradually in most cases, though in some instances the process takes longer and may require a trip to the doctor if it persists.

    Fibrocystic Breast Disease

    • Many women suffer from a condition known as fibrocystic breast disease. Fibrocystic breast disease is characterized by lumps under the surface of the skin of the breast. For most women, these lumps are not painful or even noticeable, nor are they cancerous. According to the National Institutes of Health, one of the risk factors for fibrocystic breast disease is high caffeine intake.

    Dehydration

    • According to researchers at Brown University, caffeine is a mild diuretic and can cause dehydration. Because caffeine induces a urination response in humans, many experts, including those at Brown University, recommend that a person should drink 8 oz. of water for each cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage they consume.

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