Forms of Caffeine and Problems
Billions of people consume coffee, tea, and energy drinks, but many are unaware of the potential health risks, such as kidney failure, neurological or cardiac symptoms, anxiety, and palpitations. Overconsumption of caffeine, often assumed to be safe, can lead to serious issues that might be preventable by reducing intake. While organizations like the CDC and NIMH don’t have dedicated sections on this topic, the FDA warns that caffeine, while part of a healthy diet for most, can be harmful in excessive amounts, varying by factors like body weight, medications, and individual sensitivity.
How much caffeine is too much? For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that’s about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they metabolize it (break it down).
Certain conditions tend to make people more sensitive to caffeine’s effects, as can some medications. In addition, if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are concerned about another condition or medication, we recommend talking to your health care provider about whether you need to limit caffeine consumption.
The FDA has not set a level for children, but the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the consumption of caffeine and other stimulants by children and adolescents.
How do you know if you’ve consumed more caffeine than you can tolerate? Over-consuming caffeine can cause:
- insomnia
- jitters
- anxiousness
- fast heart rate
- upset stomach
- nausea
- headache
- a feeling of unhappiness (dysphoria)
Does caffeine pose a danger to your health? The FDA estimates toxic effects, like seizures, can be observed with rapid consumption of around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine, or 0.15 tablespoons of pure caffeine.
Pure and highly concentrated caffeine products present a significant public health threat and have contributed to at least two deaths in the United States in the last few years. (In April, the FDA took action to protect consumers from these products.)
These products, often labeled as dietary supplements, consist of pure or highly concentrated caffeine in powder or liquid forms and are often marketed in bulk packaging with up to thousands of servings per container, requiring the consumer to measure out a safe serving from what can be a toxic or even lethal amount of bulk product.
The risk of caffeine overdose increases as the concentration of caffeine in the product increases, meaning even small dosages of a highly concentrated product could lead to dangerous effects. Just one teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine can contain the same amount of caffeine as 28 cups of coffee, and a half cup of a liquid highly concentrated caffeine product contains the equivalent of more than 20 cups of coffee. These are toxic amounts that can have serious health consequences, including death.
Is it okay for kids to consume caffeine? We recommend you consult with your health care provider for advice regarding your child’s caffeine consumption.
–FDA
| Fluid Sizes/Tablet | Caffeine Amount |
|---|---|
| Coca Cola 12oz. | 34mg |
| Excedrin tablet | 65mg |
| Midol tablet | 60mg |
| Mountain Dew 12oz. | 55mg |
| Red Bull 8.3oz. | 80mg |
| Starbucks 12oz. | 260mg |
| Vivarin (caffeine tablets) | 200mg |
About Caffeine
Kids/Teens: I recommended it for a teen and know many parents who gave their kids a cup of coffee. The main concern is the “stimulant” effects such as weight loss, insomnia, and jitters/palpitations/heart risks. Little kids (before puberty) typically have huge amounts of energy and don’t need coffee but the same risks apply. Plus, with little kids be mindful how caffeine can cause a HIGHER risk for dehydration (caffeine is like a diuretic) or wetting the bed so it should probably be avoided. After puberty, a child’s mechanism of body is similar to adult physical capabilities.
Risks with Several Forms of Caffeine
- Coffee: Even with moderate amounts of coffee, it can cause eye twitches, hands shake, etc. Overall, if you’re not responding well to caffeine or experiencing anxiety or panic, it’s best to cut back on caffeinated products.
- Tea: I love tea but it caused my hands to tremble. Thus, decaf and caffeinated-free liquids STILL have caffeine in it just at lower amounts. In my post, I also reference reports of liver failure from green tea extracts and Massive Tea Consumption Linked to Kidney Failure by Reuters so with moderate or massive amounts, take precautions, especially with kidney problems. According to the article, a man with kidney failure reportedly was drinking 16 nine-ounce glasses of iced tea each day, giving him more than 1,500 milligrams of oxalate per day, which was assumed the reason why his kidneys shut down…
- Energy Drinks, Mountain Dew, Sugary-Caffeine Mixes, etc.: Sugary and caffeinated drinks, can cause large energy crashes. While teens might tolerate them better, such drinks can worsen tics, mood, anxiety, aggression, and agitation in children. Additionally, excessive sugar can lead to health issues like increased susceptibility to infections, dental problems, thus further behavioral challenges.
- Caffeine Pills: The main concern with supplements is the uncertainty about their actual contents, particularly when purchased online. Differences in color or formulation between brands or versions can raise questions about consistency. Over-the-counter (OTC) status doesn’t guarantee safety, so it’s wise to test new supplements cautiously, such as on weekends or when family responsibilities are minimal. While OTC products are generally safe, precautions like starting with the recommended dose or half of it can help minimize the risk of adverse reactions.. Also, note that “caffeine pills” are usually marketed as diet pills or green tea supplements, not for “energy” technically.
Some Alternatives to Avoid Overconsumption
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- Vitamin B: A non-habit-forming option with minimal side effects, beneficial for those with low meat intake, living in cold climates, experiencing rough menstrual cycles, or frequent fatigue. However, higher doses might be necessary for some, making alternatives like coffee more practical.
- Carbohydrates: Essential for energy. Neglecting carbs can lead to fatigue and weakness. Avoid consuming carbs in the evening, and reconsider restrictive diets like keto, as they can sometimes lead to serious health issues.
- Homemade Drinks: Creating your own drinks allows better control over caffeine and sugar intake. Options like half a cup of coffee, decaf, or non-caffeinated mint and lemon-infused water can provide variety without overloading on stimulants.
- Caffeine Limits: Establishing rules, such as drinking caffeine only before 8 a.m. or taking breaks over weekends, can improve tolerance and reduce overconsumption. Overuse can lead to increased fatigue and disrupted sleep, especially for those sensitive to caffeine.
Tips for Managing Specific Conditions
- Kidney Failure/Disease:
- Limit or avoid caffeine, as it strains the kidneys and can contribute to kidney stones.
- Be cautious with orange/citrus due to potassium levels, though opinions vary on its safety.
- Avoid high-phosphorus drinks like Coca-Cola.
- Drinking excess water isn’t advisable for kidney patients, as it can cause imbalances.
- Green tea might interfere with blood thinners like Coumadin.
- Consult a doctor for personalized advice, as complementary treatments lack robust analysis.
- Heart Problems vs. GERD:
- Trial or limit caffeine and carbonated drinks to avoid heart-related symptoms like palpitations or jitters.
- For GERD, avoid acidic drinks (coffee, sodas) or neutralize them with milk, cream, or water to reduce irritation.
- Severe cases may require eliminating problematic beverages altogether to prevent ER visits.
- Tics and Seizures:
- Caffeine can worsen symptoms, particularly in individuals taking anticonvulsants.
- Rapid consumption of high doses (e.g., 1,200 mg caffeine) can trigger toxic effects like seizures.
- Advise avoiding, limiting, or cautiously trialing caffeine to minimize risks.
General Information
- Consumer Lab: provides independent results, reviews, ratings, and comparisons of vitamins, supplements, and nutritional products to consumers & professionals. MOST of the information requires a membership so I’m not a member but at least it’s affordable. I usually check out their recall area.
- FDA: dietary supplements section and how to report a problem since some products truly cause damages. Caffeine is not considered a “supplement”.
- Linus Pauling Institute’s Micronutrient Information Center: educates about the roles of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals (plant chemicals that may affect health), and other dietary factors, including some food and beverages,
- U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP): verifies the quality of ingredients from different suppliers, manufacturers can refer to the USP verification program and refer to ingredients that have been verified through this program available here.
Additional Resources
- Diet and Nutrition Information with Kidney Disease –Neph Cure
- National Inst. Of Diabetes & Digestive, Kidney Disease (NIDDK)
- Kidney Information for Professionals -NIDDK
Decreasing the acid in coffee:
Other ways to decrease the acid in coffee -HomeGrounds
