The signals your body sends you to tell you that you are consuming too much caffeine

If we drink too much coffee and fill up with caffeine from other foods during the day, the body can send us some signals

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It is difficult to give up a good coffee but sometimes we overdo it and find ourselves at the end of the day having a fill of caffeine. So here are the signals that the body can send us in case it finds itself handling too much coffee.

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks and, if consumed in the right doses, it can also be beneficial, as several scientific researches have shown. Too much caffeine, however, hurts and exposes us to a number of side effects.

Among other things, caffeine is not present only in coffee but, in different doses, also in other drinks and foods that we could consume during the day, helping to increase the dose of this substance circulating in the body. Any examples? Black tea, some energy drinks and even chocolate.

The problem is that caffeine is a stimulant for the central nervous system and metabolism and when it is too much it can cause a series of symptoms, particularly in more predisposed people. Sensitivity to caffeine is in fact very variable.

Here are some signs to watch out for and that could indicate that you are consuming too much caffeine.

Index

Anxiety and nervousness

When too much caffeine is consumed, blood pressure rises and this can trigger anxiety, nervousness and a rapid heart rate. Since caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, it can also trigger an increased release of adrenaline and thereby make you nervous or frightened.

Difficulty sleeping

Due to its impact on the central nervous system, too much caffeine in the body can prevent you from resting well. Its effect can be felt both in the moment of falling asleep and in a certain difficulty in maintaining a stable sleep or reaching a deep REM state. Since it takes an average of five to six hours for half of the caffeine we consume to be eliminated from the body and about a day to completely release it, it is best to consume a moderate amount of caffeine only at the beginning of the day to ensure a good night's sleep.

Stomach pains

Since it is an acidic substance with laxative properties, coffee (and the caffeine it contains) also affects the gastrointestinal system. This means that too high doses can cause heartburn, cramps, indigestion, nausea and diarrhea.

Frequent urination

Caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, which means it can cause dehydration as well. When drinking coffee it would always be better not to do it on an empty stomach but to make sure a snack before or during the consumption of the drink. Also always remember to drink plenty of water.

Headache

While moderate caffeine consumption can sometimes help relieve headaches, excessive intake can cause the opposite effect, causing headaches that last throughout the day.

But what is the maximum limit of coffee that we can afford on a daily basis? According to the FDA guidelines, up to 4-5 cups of coffee do not give negative effects on health but probably for many people (precisely those most sensitive to the effects of this substance) they are already far too many.

Everyone will have to evaluate according to their body how many coffees they can drink each day. If you see one or more of the aforementioned signs appear, start by trying to reduce your coffee a little during the day, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Fonti: Alcohol and drugs foundation / Sleep Foundation