Millions of people drink caffeinated drinks on a daily basis to improve concentration and alertness. It is always the go-to for when you have just got out of bed and find yourself struggling to jump-start your day. But, how much is too much when it comes to taking caffeine? Quality dieticians know that while caffeine can increase your energy levels and even help keep you active at your workplace, it is a stimulant. This means, when taken in large amounts, caffeine can affect your body in many different ways. Another thing to note is that some people should completely avoid taking caffeine. This group of individuals includes:

• People with high blood pressure or heart disease
• Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant
• People taking anti-anxiety medications
• Children

Caffeine is safe for you if you are otherwise healthy. Nevertheless, you should be keen to take it in moderation. The moderation in this context is 400mg (milligrams) of caffeine on a daily basis. To put that into perspective, that is the amount of caffeine you get in four cups of brewed coffee, a couple of “energy shot” drinks, or 10 cans of cola. If you are trying to be pregnant, then you should talk to your doctor about the amount of caffeine that is safe for you. Generally speaking, you should not go beyond 200mg per day.

When to Curb Your Caffeine Intake

Young adults and adolescents should not just avoid taking caffeine in excessive amounts but also should be keen not to mix it with alcohol and other drugs. That is because of the potential dangers that caffeine carries. You should also be keen enough to know when to curb caffeine intake. These include:

• When You Drink Over Four Cups of Coffee per Day - You need to cut back on the amount of caffeine you take if, on a daily basis, you drink over four cups of caffeinated coffee or equivalent and you have such side effects as muscle tremors, headache, a faster heartbeat, insomnia, inability to control urination or frequent urination, irritability, and nervousness. 
• When You Are Taking Supplements or Medications - Certain medications and herbal supplements tend to interact with caffeine. You should, therefore, drink little to no caffeinated drinks when taking these medications or supplements. There’s a wide variety of different medications that are dangerous along with caffeine, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you usually have a heavy intake. Be very careful with herbal supplements too. This can have some very unpleasant effects. 

Questions and Answers

Q: Which Kinds of Beverages and Drinks Have Caffeine?

A: Caffeine naturally exists in the plants we use to make tea, chocolate, and coffee. It is also found in a number of plants used as flavorings. Don’t forget energy drinks, as they are incredibly popular in this day and age. 

Q: How Do You Know the Amount of Caffeine in a Beverage or Food?

A: Look at the label. Here, you will find information as to how much caffeine a beverage or food contains.

Q: Do Decaffeinated Tea and Coffee Contain Zero Caffeine?

A: No. Teas and coffee that are decaf contain lower levels of caffeine compared to their regular counterparts. They are particularly good if you are looking to cut back on caffeine without suffering from adverse side effects.