Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Chances are you’ve already had some caffeine today! Experts estimate that around 90 percent of people in the U.S. have at least some caffeine every day. In small amounts it has a stimulant effect, and drinking coffee with caffeine has been linked with improved mood and a lower risk of depression. Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day is linked to a lower risk of stroke and may help protect against cancers of the mouth, throat and digestive system. But there’s a limit to how much caffeine your body can process at once. If you have more than what’s safe, you’ll experience symptoms that can damage your body. From a mood boost to potential health perks and problems, caffeine packs a punch. So, do you think you’re a caffeine connoisseur? caffeine perk
The FDA says that most adults can safely consumer 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s around two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. You can overdo it. Too much caffeine can hinder calcium absorption, potentially leading to osteoporosis, and trigger increased heart rates, headaches, agitation, sleep problems, breathing difficulties, sudden high blood pressure, confusion, seizures, and even vomiting. And it turns out not all caffeinated drinks are created equal. Let’s put your knowledge to the test. First, which has more caffeine, an eight-ounce cup of brewed coffee or an eight-ounce espresso?
A regular old Cup of Jo has more caffeine than espresso. And instant coffee has less than both! Next up, teas, which one packs more of a punch, black or green?
Black tea has almost double the caffeine compared to green tea. And now for the energy drinks, they’re full of caffeine right?
Well actually, an energy drink in a can has about 79 milligrams of caffeine. That’s less than a cup of coffee, but an energy shot can pack a whopping 200 milligrams!
So now you know, is your caffeine habit a perk or potential pitfall?
Many drugs will interact with caffeine. For instance, combining caffeine with ephedrine, often found in decongestants, could raise your risk of serious issues like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or seizure. Theophylline, a medication for opening airways, has similar effects to caffeine, so taking them together might intensify side effects such as nausea and heart palpitations. Even the herbal supplement echinacea, sometimes used for colds, may increase the caffeine levels in your blood and increase heart rates and cause anxiety.
Contributors to this news report include: Masha Lewis, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/nutrition/caffeine-in-the-diet
