How does caffeine impact your heart health. What are the potential benefits and risks of consuming caffeine. Is there an optimal amount of caffeine for cardiovascular wellness. How does caffeine affect blood pressure and heart rhythms. Can caffeine consumption influence your risk of heart disease.

The Prevalence and Sources of Caffeine in Modern Diets

Caffeine is a ubiquitous natural stimulant found in various food sources and widely consumed across the globe. Approximately 90% of U.S. adults incorporate some form of caffeine into their daily routine. This stimulant occurs naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao beans, guarana berries, and yerba maté leaves. Additionally, synthetic caffeine is often added to sodas and energy drinks to enhance their stimulant effects.

Coffee remains the most popular vehicle for caffeine consumption, which explains why the majority of caffeine research focuses on this beloved beverage. However, it’s important to note that caffeine content can vary significantly between different sources:

• An 8-ounce cup of coffee: 80-100 mg of caffeine
• An 8-ounce cup of green or black tea: 30-50 mg of caffeine
• A 12-ounce can of caffeinated soda: 30-40 mg of caffeine
• An 8-ounce energy drink: 40-250 mg of caffeine

The Complex Relationship Between Caffeine and Cardiovascular Health

The impact of caffeine on heart health is multifaceted and can vary significantly from person to person. Dr. Greg Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, notes that while coffee consumption is generally not detrimental to health, he hesitates to recommend that non-coffee drinkers start consuming it or that current drinkers increase their intake for health benefits.

Research has uncovered both positive and negative effects of caffeine on cardiovascular health:

Potential Benefits:

• Reduced risk of developing chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease
• Lower likelihood of mortality from heart disease and other illnesses
• Improved alertness and reduced fatigue
• Potential appetite suppression
• Possible reduction in depression risk

Potential Risks:

• Increased anxiety at high doses
• Elevated blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Sleep disturbances
• Withdrawal symptoms upon abrupt cessation

Determining Safe Caffeine Consumption Levels

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day to be safe for healthy adults. This equates to roughly four or five cups of coffee. However, it’s crucial to recognize that individual tolerance and metabolism of caffeine can vary greatly.

Factors influencing caffeine’s effects on an individual include:

• Body weight
• Metabolism rate
• Medications being taken
• Frequency of caffeine consumption

Due to these variables, what constitutes a moderate amount of caffeine for one person may be excessive for another. It’s essential to pay attention to your body’s reactions and adjust consumption accordingly.

The Impact of Caffeine on Physical Activity and Sleep Patterns

Recent research conducted by Dr. Marcus and his colleagues has shed light on how caffeine consumption affects physical activity and sleep patterns. Their study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, revealed intriguing findings:

• Participants were more physically active on days they consumed coffee
• Sleep duration was reduced on coffee-drinking days
• Irregular heartbeats from the lower chambers of the heart increased
• Episodes of abnormally rapid heartbeats from the upper chambers decreased

These results highlight the complex nature of caffeine’s effects on the body. While increased physical activity can be beneficial for cardiovascular health, reduced sleep duration may have negative implications. The changes in heart rhythm patterns also warrant further investigation to understand their long-term impact.

Caffeine Metabolism and Its Influence on Individual Responses

One of the key factors in determining how caffeine affects an individual is the rate at which their body metabolizes the compound. Dr. Marcus’s study found that people who metabolized caffeine faster experienced fewer sleep disturbances compared to those who broke it down more slowly.

This variation in metabolism can be attributed to several factors:

• Genetic differences in enzymes responsible for caffeine breakdown
• Liver function and overall health
• Age and gender
• Frequency of caffeine consumption (regular intake can speed up metabolism)

Understanding your personal caffeine metabolism can help you make informed decisions about your consumption habits and potentially mitigate negative effects on sleep and heart rhythm.

Caffeine’s Role in Heart Rhythm Irregularities

The relationship between caffeine and heart rhythm irregularities is complex and not fully understood. While some studies suggest that caffeine can trigger or exacerbate arrhythmias, others have found no significant link or even potential protective effects.

Dr. Marcus’s research revealed interesting findings regarding caffeine’s impact on heart rhythms:

• Increased instances of irregular heartbeats from the lower chambers (ventricles)
• Decreased episodes of abnormally rapid heartbeats from the upper chambers (atria)

These mixed results underscore the need for further research to fully understand the implications of caffeine consumption on heart rhythm disorders. For individuals with pre-existing arrhythmias or concerns about heart health, it may be prudent to monitor caffeine intake and its effects closely.

Navigating Caffeine Consumption for Optimal Heart Health

Given the complex and varied effects of caffeine on cardiovascular health, it’s essential to approach consumption thoughtfully. Here are some guidelines to consider:

1. Be aware of your personal tolerance: Pay attention to how caffeine affects your sleep, anxiety levels, and heart rhythm.
2. Stick to moderate intake: For most healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe.
3. Timing matters: Avoid consuming caffeine late in the day to minimize sleep disturbances.
4. Consider your sources: Be mindful of the caffeine content in various beverages and foods.
5. Gradual changes: If you decide to reduce or eliminate caffeine, do so gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
6. Consult a healthcare professional: If you have concerns about how caffeine may be affecting your heart health, speak with your doctor.

Dr. Marcus advises patients experiencing sleep troubles or heart palpitations to experiment with their caffeine consumption. Taking a break from caffeine can help determine if it’s contributing to these issues. However, he doesn’t recommend a blanket avoidance of caffeine for everyone.

The Caffeine Conundrum: Energy Drinks vs. Traditional Sources

While coffee and tea have been consumed for centuries, energy drinks are a relatively new addition to the caffeine landscape. These beverages often contain significantly higher amounts of caffeine compared to traditional sources, along with other stimulants and additives.

The potential risks associated with energy drinks include:

• Extremely high caffeine content (up to 250 mg per 8 ounces)
• Additional stimulants that may interact with caffeine
• High sugar content in many varieties
• Increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially in young people

Dr. Marcus and many other health professionals express greater concern about energy drink consumption compared to traditional caffeine sources like coffee and tea. The combination of high caffeine content and other stimulants in energy drinks can lead to more pronounced cardiovascular effects and a higher risk of adverse events.

When it comes to choosing caffeine sources, it’s generally advisable to opt for natural sources like coffee and tea over highly processed energy drinks. These traditional beverages often contain beneficial antioxidants and have a long history of safe consumption when enjoyed in moderation.

The Future of Caffeine Research and Cardiovascular Health

As our understanding of caffeine’s effects on the cardiovascular system continues to evolve, several areas of research hold promise for future insights:

• Genetic factors influencing caffeine metabolism and sensitivity
• Long-term effects of various caffeine sources on heart health
• Interaction between caffeine and other dietary components
• Potential therapeutic uses of caffeine in cardiovascular medicine
• Impact of caffeine on specific populations (e.g., individuals with pre-existing heart conditions)

Ongoing research in these areas will help refine guidelines for caffeine consumption and potentially uncover new ways to harness its benefits while minimizing risks. As we await these developments, it’s crucial to approach caffeine consumption mindfully, considering individual factors and overall health goals.

In conclusion, the relationship between caffeine and heart health is nuanced and highly individual. While moderate caffeine consumption appears to be safe and potentially beneficial for many people, it’s essential to be aware of your personal tolerance and any pre-existing health conditions. By staying informed and attentive to your body’s responses, you can make educated decisions about your caffeine intake to support optimal cardiovascular health.

Is caffeine a friend or foe?

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Caffeine jump-starts your day and puts a bounce in your step. It can help you focus, improve your mood and maybe even help you live longer.

But how much is too much?

Caffeine, a natural stimulant, can be found in a variety of foods, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao beans, guarana berries and yerba maté leaves. It also can be synthetically created and added to beverages such as soda and energy drinks. Research shows that about 90% of U.S. adults consume some form of caffeine every day.

One of the most popular ways people consume it is through coffee. Because of that, most caffeine research centers around this drink, said Dr. Greg Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

“The literature on the whole shows that coffee consumption is generally not a detriment to health,” he said. “But I am very reluctant to recommend anyone begin drinking coffee if they aren’t otherwise doing so, or to increase consumption for any health benefit.”

Studies have found caffeine can do both good and harm. People who regularly drink coffee may be less likely to develop chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and some cancers. A few studies suggest they are less likely to die from heart disease and other illnesses.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, as much as 400 milligrams of caffeine a day – equal to four or five cups of coffee – is considered safe for healthy adults. An 8-ounce cup of green or black tea has 30-50 mg of caffeine. Energy drinks may contain 40-250 mg for every 8 ounces, and a 12-ounce can of caffeinated soda contains 30-40 mg.

In moderate doses – up to two 8-ounce cups of coffee – caffeine can make people less tired and more alert. Some studies suggest it can reduce appetite and lower the risk for depression. But high doses – 12 cups or more – can make people feel anxious, raise blood pressure and lead to heart palpitations and trouble sleeping. For people who consume caffeine regularly, stopping consumption abruptly can lead to symptoms of withdrawal, such as headaches, fatigue and depressed mood.

Determining how much is too much can be tough. A moderate amount of caffeine for one person may feel like a high dose for someone else. That’s because some people metabolize caffeine faster than others, Marcus said. Factors such as how much someone weighs and what medications they take also can play a role. The bottom line is, caffeine affects everyone differently.

“The compound is complex, and we need to recognize that not only might there be benefits and harms, but this may vary from one person to another,” Marcus said.

He and his colleagues recently completed one of the few randomized studies on caffeine consumption, which he presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions last year. The researchers asked participants to drink – or refrain from drinking – coffee for no more than two consecutive days each for two weeks.

The findings, which are considered preliminary until the full results are published in a peer-reviewed journal, showed that people were more physically active and slept less on days they drank coffee than on days they went without. They also had more irregular heartbeats from the lower chambers of the heart but fewer episodes of abnormally rapid heartbeats from the upper chambers.

Marcus said one limitation of the study was that people were starting and stopping caffeine consumption, which could be causing an exaggerated reaction in people who were used to drinking it every day. “The effects of caffeine are attenuated when you drink it regularly,” he said. “The body adapts to that caffeine level. And more regular consumption of caffeine can speed up the metabolism.”

People who metabolized caffeine faster had fewer problems sleeping than those whose bodies broke it down more slowly, he said.

In his cardiology practice, Marcus tells patients who are having trouble sleeping or experiencing abnormal heart rhythms to see what role caffeine might be playing. “I generally advise that it is reasonable for patients bothered by trouble sleeping or with palpitations to experiment with their caffeine consumption. Take some time off of caffeine to see if it makes a difference.” But he does not give a blanket recommendation to avoid caffeine.

Marcus doesn’t distinguish between the caffeine that people get from coffee versus hot or iced tea. “There may be health differences between the two, but they haven’t been studied yet,” he said.

He is less flexible about the consumption of energy drinks, which typically have a higher concentration of caffeine, as well as added sweeteners or carbohydrates and no evidence they provide any health benefits. Research has found energy drinks can cause abnormal electrical activity in the heart and higher blood pressure that persists for several hours.

“In general, I would caution against the use of energy drinks,” Marcus said.

There are other ways to stay alert.

“The best strategies and overall most healthy strategies to boost alertness are long-term healthy habits,” such as getting a good night’s sleep and exercising regularly, Marcus said. He recommends people who have trouble staying awake consult a physician to see if they have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.

If you have questions or comments about this American Heart Association News story, please email [email protected].

Caffeine Effect On Your Heart

Tea and coffee are amazingly beneficial beverages. The majority contain caffeine, a substance that can enhance your mood, metabolism, and mental and physical performance. Studies also show that it is safe for most people when consumed at low to moderate levels. Nevertheless, high intakes of caffeine can have uncomfortable and dangerous side effects.

In addition, several pieces of research show that genes significantly influence tolerance. As a result, some people can consume much more caffeine than others without experiencing adverse effects. In addition, people not used to caffeine may experience symptoms after consuming what is generally considered a moderate dose.

Some side effects of excessive caffeine intake can include anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, muscle breakdown, addiction, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, fatigue, frequent urination, and urgency. However, the bottom line is that light-to-moderate caffeine consumption appears to provide impressive health benefits to many people.

On the other hand, high dosages can cause side effects that interfere with daily life and even cause serious health problems. Even though reactions differ from one person to another, the results of high intake demonstrate that more is not necessarily better. So, you can get the benefits of caffeine without undesirable effects, make an accurate evaluation of your sleep, energy levels, and other factors influenced, and reduce your intake if necessary.

Rapid Heart Rate

The stimulant effects of high caffeine intake can make your heart beat faster. Unfortunately, it can also lead to an altered heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation. This disorganized heart rhythm occurs in the upper chambers of the heart. It is the most common arrhythmia; it happens when many unstable electrical impulses fail and can cause the atria to quiver out of control. It causes the heart rate to increase and become erratic and can raise your heart rate much faster than average.

This situation shows when youths consume energy beverages containing extremely high doses of caffeine. In one case study, a woman taking a massive amount of caffeine powder and tablets in a suicide attempt developed a fast heart rate, kidney failure, and other serious health problems.

Nevertheless, this effect does not seem to occur in everyone; some individuals with cardiac issues may be able to tolerate enormous amounts of caffeine without any adverse effects. For example, in a controlled study, when fifty-one patients with heart failure consumed one hundred mg of caffeine every sixty minutes for five hours, their heart rates and rhythms remained normal. Regardless of the study’s mixed results, if you notice any change in your heart frequency or rhythm after drinking caffeinated drinks, consider reducing your consumption.

Caffeine Consumption

Caffeine is an incredibly popular stimulant. More than 85% of the US population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage daily, with 96% coming from coffee, tea, and soft drinks. If you enjoy caffeinated beverages but have noticed heart palpitations, you may wonder if your daily caffeinated beverage is guilty of causing the heart palpitations.

You should try to keep your heart as healthy as possible. Heart palpitations, although brief and short-lived, should not be ignored, as they may indicate an underlying problem with your heart. Visit your doctor if you suspect that lifestyle habits such as drinking caffeine are causing these heart symptoms. Your doctor should perform a comprehensive evaluation to check the health of your heart. We will discuss caffeine, how it can cause heart palpitations, and what you can do about it.

Heart Palpitations

Most of the time, you are probably unaware of your heartbeat or rhythm. An average resting heart rate is sixty to a hundred beats per minute, and the heart has a characteristic rhythm when it beats. Unless your heart beats fast or forcefully, you may not notice it beating. Heart palpitation is when sensing that your heart is beating irregularly. It may feel like banging, pulsing too quickly, or pounding. Typical reasons for heart palpitations include exercise, stress, and certain medications. Stimulants, including caffeine, affect heart rate, but just how does it affect the heart?

Caffeine And Your Heart

One of the most investigated dietary ingredients is caffeine, and we know a lot about how it impacts the body. But the research exploring caffeine’s link to heart palpitations has been inconsistent, with some studies reporting a connection and others not. This situation is because, in healthy people, caffeine does not appear to cause heart palpitations. Still, some individuals may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine and may experience cardiac symptoms such as palpitations.

Caffeine affects the heart in multiple ways. For instance, it promotes the release of noradrenaline and norepinephrine. Noradrenaline is a chemical produced by some nerve cells and in the adrenal gland; norepinephrine is a vasoconstrictor used as a vasopressor. First, these hormones increase heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, caffeine can act on enzymes that stimulate heart contractions, causing the heart to contract more forcefully.

Are Palpitations Because Of Caffeine Consumption?

For many years, researchers believed that caffeine’s stimulant effects on the heart were responsible for heart palpitations. Recent investigation suggests that this is not necessarily the case. However, that doesn’t mean caffeine isn’t causing your heart symptoms and doesn’t vindicate caffeine entirely.

The body adjusts to the effects of caffeine. Therefore, it is unlikely that healthy people who regularly drink coffee will experience symptoms such as heart palpitations. However, caffeine can cause heart palpitations in people with caffeine sensitivity and those with an underlying heart condition.

If you are new to consuming caffeine or are used to drinking excessive amounts, you are more likely to experience cardiac symptoms. However, the only way to be sure is to visit a heart specialist for a checkup.

Caffeine Overdose Is Rare

Caffeine overdose is very rare. It generally implies high amounts of caffeine consumed in powder or tablet form, not drinks. The reason is simple; it is very complicated to get that much caffeine when drinking fluids because of the time it takes to consume them. The lethal dose of caffeine for most people is about ten grams, although this varies from person to person. A cup of coffee has approximately a hundred to two hundred milligrams of caffeine. An energy drink contains between fifty and three hundred mg of caffeine. A can of soda generally has less than seventy mg. Therefore, even with the most caffeinated energy drink, you would still have to drink about thirty of them in quick succession to reach the ten grams range.

If you tried to drink that many beverages with caffeine, chances are your body would halt you before reaching toxic levels. Most of the time, if individuals have severe signs of caffeine toxicity, it starts with nausea and vomiting. So that is somewhat protective because you get sick and throw up the caffeine before it gets too toxic. However, with caffeine powder or tablets, you may be ingesting a large amount simultaneously. One teaspoon of the powder has three thousand and two hundred mg of caffeine.

If you suspect a caffeine overdose, go to the emergency room, and report it to your doctor any caffeinated products you consumed before having symptoms. Your doctor may also monitor your breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. In addition, they may check your temperature and undergo a urine or blood test to identify medications in your system.

Usually, there are no long-term health problems after treating caffeine overdose, but this situation can be life-threatening, especially for younger patients, such as infants and young children. Caffeine overdoses can also worsen pre-existing health conditions, such as anxiety. When the administration of the treatment is too late, it can result in irreversible health problems and even death. At the very least, you should call the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) if you suspect a caffeine overdose.

Treatment In Case Of Caffeine Overdose

The treatment for a caffeine overdose should be getting it out of the body while controlling the symptoms. You may need to take activated charcoal, a common drug overdose remedy that often prevents caffeine from entering the gastrointestinal tract. If caffeine has already entered your gastrointestinal tract, you may have to use a laxative or gastric lavage. Gastric lavage involves utilizing a tube to pump and wash out the contents of your stomach.

Your physician will likely choose the procedure that works fastest to get the caffeine out of your body. During this time, the doctor will monitor your heart through an ECG (electrocardiogram). You may also receive respiratory support when necessary.

Home treatment may not always speed up your body’s metabolism to eliminate caffeine. If you are unsure whether you need treatment, call your doctor or the Poison Control Department and describe your symptoms. If they say your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate treatment at your local hospital.

Importance Of A Heart Health Check

It is vital to get a medical screening if you have heart symptoms. Several heart conditions can cause heart palpitations, which include atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve prolapse, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and atrial flutter. Some of these conditions can be serious and may require treatment.

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Publication date
01/10/2023

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Coffee lovers rejoice! There are several studies that show that the risk of developing coronary heart disease and heart attack in caffeinated coffee drinkers is very small. What’s more, it has been found that the more coffee people drink, the lower their risk of developing heart failure. While these results help dispel the belief that coffee is bad for health, there is still much to be learned about the link between coffee and heart health. If you’ve been wondering, “Can coffee increase your heart rate?” or “Is there a link between coffee and blood pressure?”, PCMC cardiologists are ready to answer these and other questions.

Can coffee increase heart rate?

After the first sip of coffee, caffeine enters the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine, stimulating the central nervous system. The receptors on your cells in the heart speed up, causing a slight increase in heart rate (about three beats per minute). In different people, the heart rate increases in different ways. The amount of increase depends on several factors, including:

• amount of caffeine consumed
• frequency of use
• person’s height and weight
• physiology

After consuming caffeine, its effects can appear as early as fifteen minutes and last for several hours. If you do not experience symptoms such as dizziness, a temporary increase in heart rate should not have a lasting or noticeable effect on the body.

Coffee and blood pressure

Two other important studies of note are the Framingham Heart Study and a 2014 review in Circulation. The Framingham Heart Study found that adults who drank any amount of caffeinated coffee had a 43% reduction in cardiovascular death compared to those who did not drink coffee. The Circulation study found that adults who drink three to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day have a lower risk of heart disease compared to those who drink none or more than six or more cups a day. While there is growing evidence that coffee is good for you in moderation, there are several variables that need to be taken into account to make a definitive conclusion about the health benefits of coffee. While coffee and caffeine are often considered “bad” for the heart due to associations such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, etc. , the link between increased coffee consumption and reduced heart disease outweighs these negative connotations.

How to keep your heart healthy

There are many other ways to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, including:

• Moderate daily exercise
• Stress management
• Cholesterol lowering
• Smoking avoidance
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Balanced nutrition
• Restriction of sugary and processed foods

Why choose PCMC for all your heart health needs?

If you’ve been looking for the best cardiologists nearby, stop looking and contact PCMC today! We are the leading cardiology center in the Vladimir region. We deal with the prevention and treatment of all aspects of cardiovascular diseases and offer our patients the most modern methods of cardiovascular disease treatment. Contact us today by phone or leave a request on the site to make an appointment.

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what is important to know about caffeine in order not to harm your health

Coffee is perhaps the most popular drink in the world. And the most controversial: while some studies support its benefits (for the liver, for example), others point to potential harm, primarily for the heart.

Most of the effects of coffee, both positive and negative, are associated with its most studied component – caffeine, which is now increasingly used as an active ingredient in dietary supplements and sports nutrition products.

With seasonal changes, an increasing number of people are turning to dietary supplements and drinks containing caffeine and other compounds designed to increase energy levels.

Although most energy drinkers use these products to reduce fatigue or improve mental capacity, concentration, etc., some people seek to improve athletic performance through the consumption of these products. Unfortunately, they only do this to their own detriment.

See also

Adverse cardiovascular effects of “stimulants”

Medical experts warn that, despite their popularity, caffeine-based products and other types of dietary supplements and OTC “energy-boosting” products can have adverse effects on the human body, especially – on the cardiovascular system.

Given the popularity of caffeine-based products and the risks associated with their use, WHO has characterized the consumption of energy drinks as a major public health problem.

Numerous studies have identified a range of cardiovascular side effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks, including:

The results of several of these RCTs have shown that consumption of energy drinks significantly prolongs the QT interval and provokes an increase in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). The risks of these adverse side effects of caffeine are dramatically increased among people with underlying heart disease, including drug interactions.

Thus, in people with hereditary long QT syndrome, after drinking two cans of an energy drink, the risk of cardiac arrest increased by 20%.

Therefore, individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease (arrhythmias, hypertension, or cardiomyopathy) should exercise particular caution when using such agents.

See also

In addition to caffeine: a triple hit on the heart

Although most of the cardiovascular risks listed are associated with high caffeine content in energy drinks, other not-so-healthy ingredients are added to these products: taurine, guarana, ginseng extract, glucuronolactone, etc. d. They are also meant to increase energy levels, but, unfortunately, they hit the heart in the same way.

For example, as noted by cardiologists, even in healthy people, the consumption of a drug containing caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone can increase blood pressure, increase platelet aggregation and disrupt endothelial function.

Caffeine and “company” can be even more harmful if used during physical activity, as evidenced by studies examining the effects of caffeine taken before exercise on the cardiovascular system.

Caffeine, heart and sport: a controversial stimulant

In addition to the general cardiovascular risks associated with energy supplements, their use before exercise can further exacerbate cardiovascular risks, as physical activity puts more stress on the heart and blood vessels. For example, studies show that taking 200–300 mg of caffeine 1 hour before aerobic exercise depresses endothelial cell function in healthy individuals, as evidenced by decreased myocardial blood flow.

At the same time, it has been proven that caffeine itself is a good tool for increasing the endurance and aerobic capacity of athletes, but the problem here is rather with the dosage. The “more is better” philosophy of caffeine use in sports can lead to side effects that outweigh the benefits.

Optimum results are usually achieved at intakes of 3–6 mg/kg (approximately 2–4 cups), and side effects develop at concentrations greater than 9 mg/kg body weight. Overdose can lead to cardiotoxicity with associated side effects such as tachycardia, vasoconstriction and hypertension. Especially often, “side effects” from an overdose of caffeine are found in amateur athletes.

The good news is that adverse events often improve or disappear completely when caffeinated products are discontinued.