How much caffeine is too much?
Scientific studies of the drug caffeine show many benefits. Coffee contains a high concentration of antioxidants, may prevent dental caries and cut down on the incidence of colon cancer, Parkinson’s disease and even type II diabetes.
But experts agree that you should avoid having more than 600 milligrams of caffeine in one day. To put that in perspective, one grande Starbucks coffee (16 ounces) has about 330 milligrams of caffeine. A 12-ounce Diet Coke has 45 milligrams.
The effects of caffeine on the body include an increase in mental alertness, increase in urinary output (diuretic), increase in cardiac irritability, and increased skeletal muscle tone. The response to caffeine varies greatly from individual to individual. In some, even moderate doses cause the jitters and trouble sleeping.
Can you overdose on caffeine?
Deaths caused by caffeine overdose are rare, but they do happen, says Steven Meredith, PhD.
Five-thousand milligrams to 10,000 milligrams of caffeine is considered the lethal amount. That looks like a large number, but 5,000 milligrams is just one small teaspoon of caffeine. A grande Starbucks coffee, by comparison, has less than 1/10 of a teaspoon.
An overdose of caffeine can lead to heart problems (cardiac arrhythmias) and seizures that can be lethal. So, keep track of how much caffeine you have, and avoid giving children caffeine.
Caffeine powder is especially dangerous because the serving size is 1/16 of a teaspoon, which requires mini-measuring spoons and a scale to measure.
Studies also show too much caffeine can set you up for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and decreased bone density.
If you crave caffeine to get you through the day, you’re not alone. About 68% of Americans in 2006 said they were hooked on coffee, according to the National Coffee Association. Add the other sources of caffeine — cola, energy drinks, and some medications and supplements — and the number of caffeine consumers is even greater. So is this a bad thing? As is so true of most things in life, drinking coffee in moderation is probably beneficial.
– Richard G. Wendel MD, MBA