Why should we drink too much coffee: Is drinking too much coffee harmful? Know the side effects of caffeine, safe quantity, its effects on sleep, heart, stomach and mental health.
Coffee Side Effects: Be it early morning, work pressure in the office or having to stay awake till night to study, coffee is the first choice of some people. The aroma and taste of coffee makes people feel fresh. This is the reason why people around the world drink millions of cups of coffee every day. But do you know that drinking too much coffee can have a negative impact on your health? Caffeine present in coffee definitely makes the body and mind active for some time, but its excessive quantity can cause many problems.
What is there in coffee?
The most important element of coffee is caffeine. It is a natural stimulant element, which activates the mind and nervous system for some time. This causes less sleep and the person feels more energetic. But if too much caffeine enters the body, it can have the opposite effect.
1. Sleep may be disturbed
The effect of caffeine remains in the body for several hours. If you drink too much coffee in the evening or at night, you may have trouble sleeping. For example, if a person drinks 2 big cups of coffee at 8 pm, it is possible that he may not be able to sleep till late at night or may have frequent sleep disturbances. Poor sleep causes fatigue, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
2. Heart beat may increase
In some people, consuming too much caffeine can increase the heartbeat. Those who already have high blood pressure or heart related disease should take coffee after consulting the doctor.
3. Anxiety and restlessness may increase
Some people may feel restlessness, trembling hands, nervousness or anxiety after drinking excessive coffee. For example, drinking several cups of coffee before an exam or presentation can further increase the nervousness of some people.
4. There may be stomach problems
Coffee can increase stomach acid. Therefore, some people experience acidity, heartburn or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach when they drink too much coffee. If someone already has gastric or acid reflux (GERD) problem, then he should be careful.
5. Caffeine can be addictive
If it becomes a habit to drink too much coffee every day, the body becomes addicted to caffeine. In such a situation, if you stop coffee suddenly, you start showing symptoms like headache, fatigue, sleepiness or irritability.
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How much coffee is considered safe to drink?
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, about 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3–5 cups of coffee) is safe for most healthy adults. However, this limit is not the same for every person. Pregnant women, young people and people suffering from certain diseases should take less quantity.
What things should be kept in mind while drinking coffee?
- Do not drink coffee again and again on an empty stomach.
- Do not take too much coffee in the evening or night.
- After coffee, drink enough water throughout the day.
- If you feel nervous or have sleep problems after drinking coffee, then reduce it.
- Avoid drinking coffee with any illness or medication.
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Some statistics related to coffee
- Healthy young people can have up to 400 mg of caffeine every day.
- A 240 ml (8 oz) cup of brewed coffee contains an average of 80–100 mg of caffeine.
- The half-life of caffeine is on average 3 to 7 hours, that is, its effect remains in the body for several hours.
- Many health organizations recommend consuming less than 200 mg of caffeine per day during pregnancy.
- About 2 billion cups of coffee are drunk every day in the world.
Content Source: US Food and Drug Administration, Mayo Clinic, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Cleveland Clinic.