So you want to work out early in the morning but don’t have the energy?
Or you want to study just a little bit longer before you crash for the evening?Maybe you just want to have more energy throughout your day.
No matter the reason, everyone has looked to caffeine for a pick-me-up and I wanted to know how this affects the body physiologically and if it’s “healthy.” This is what I found:
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the feeling of awareness and the Mayo Clinic has stated that it is safe to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day.
If you don’t usually consume caffeine, it may give you the jitters. It can worsen anxiety conditions for those effected and it can give you diarrhea or make you need to urinate more frequently. Caffeine also increases acid production in your stomach so it can cause acid reflux and other irritations. If you have stomach issues caffeine can cause you to lose too much water, which can lead to dehydration.
For those that consume caffeine regularly, the risks lie more within the bounds of withdrawal when you stop. You will most likely feel drowsy for an extended period of time until your body readjusts, you could also suffer from anxiety and irritability.
Lastly, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant it is best to limit caffeine to very small portions if not completely. Caffeine travels via the bloodstream; therefore, your baby will absorb the caffeine also. It can cause your baby’s heart rate and metabolism to increase and has the potential to slow the fetal growth. This could increase the risk of miscarriage.
Overall, it seems that caffeine has more negative impacts than positive ones for your body’s many systems; however, consuming 400 milligrams or less per day (ideally not everyday) seems like a safe amount for your body to handle. As always, pay attention to the side effects and listen to your body!