Coffee: Is Your Favourite Drink Harming You? The Signs You’re Over-Caffeinated

A Deep Dive into Caffeine Overconsumption: Dietitian’s Perspective

While many of us eagerly await our morning coffee to kickstart our day, there are hidden repercussions to overindulging in caffeine. Jennifer Low, a renowned dietitian from Kent, unveils how excessive caffeine might be meddling with your well-being.

For countless people, coffee serves as the magic elixir that banishes morning grogginess. Yet, as you experience the palpable rush of that coffee buzz, your body might also be ringing alarm bells.

Understanding High Blood Pressure and Caffeine

Delving beyond the recommended four cups of coffee a day can send your blood pressure soaring. Caffeine works its magic by interfering with adenosine receptors, known for inducing sleepiness.

But as Dr. Duane Mellor from Aston University elaborates, this interaction also contributes to a spike in blood pressure which lingers for hours.

“This impact is variable and can reduce in some people over time as the ability of caffeine to affect adenosine reduces with habitual consumption.”

Although some individuals might acclimatize to this effect over time, the expert cautions against the long-term consequences of high caffeine consumption.

The Restroom Rush

If you find yourself heading to the bathroom more often, your caffeine consumption might be to blame. This invigorating substance amplifies blood flow to the kidneys and diminishes water retention, leading to dehydration and its tell-tale headaches.

Yet, Dr. Mellor emphasizes that this is more pronounced in those ramping up their caffeine levels and not for steady consumers.

To put it in perspective, Jennifer Low shares that individuals consuming caffeine below 6mg per kg of body weight typically don’t witness any significant changes in their restroom habits.

Tummy Troubles with Too Much Brew

Overzealous coffee drinking can unsettle your stomach. While the link between caffeine and digestive issues isn’t concrete, both Ms. Low and Dr. Mellor acknowledge that hot drinks can influence our gut movements.

“Caffeine may have less effect on the bowel — often it is the effect of hot drinks that speed up the waves through our digestive tract,” comments Dr. Mellor.

Beyond this, caffeine’s role in enhancing stomach acid production can pave the way for heartburn and discomfort.

The Anxiety Connection

It’s hardly a revelation that consuming a surplus of caffeine-laden drinks can leave one on edge. Anything beyond the four-cup mark can induce heightened anxiety, nervousness, and an escalated heart rate.

Caffeine’s knack for increasing heart activity is compounded by its interference with restful sleep, making feelings of worry more pronounced.

Jennifer Low weighs in, explaining how some of her patients often misattribute their heightened anxiety to other factors.

“Patients do report increased heart rate, and in patients I see, with eating disorders, who often also have anxiety, this increased heart rate can be attributed to anxiety, which then can make them feel more anxious.”

Her advice? Perhaps it’s time to consider a switch to decaf.

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