What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a stimulant present in coffee, tea, cola drinks and some over-the-counter painkillers etc.

How safe is caffeine?

Moderate amounts of caffeine, up to 500mg per day, are thought to be harmless. Higher amounts of caffeine can have noticeable unwanted effects.

What are the unwanted effects?

"Caffeinism" is the term used for the undesirable effects of too much caffeine.  It is thought to occur if caffeine intake exceeds 600mg to 750mg per day. Drinking more than 1000mg per day is well into the toxic range.

What are the symptoms of caffeinism ?

Feelings of anxiety and nervousness, sleep disruption (especially difficult getting off to sleep), restlessness, irritability, passing lots of water/urine, stomach complaints, tremulousness, palpitations and changed heart rate are symptoms of too much caffeine.  150mg of caffeine at bedtime has a marked effect on how long it takes to get to sleep. It also reduces total sleep time, the quality of sleep and dreaming periods of sleep.

Caffeinism can make illnesses such as anxiety more resistant to drug treatment and can possibly aggravate Fibromyalgia Syndrome. People who suffer from panic attacks may be more sensitive to the stimulant effects of caffeine. Suddenly stopping taking caffeine can produce problems. Withdrawal from even moderate amounts of caffeine can produce headaches (“caffeine headache”) (52%), anxiety (10%), rebound drowsiness, fatigue and lethargy.  Many other effects have been reported.

"Caffeinism" is considered a drug addiction and caffeine withdrawal syndrome is a documented psychiatric condition.

How is daily caffeine dosage calculated?

Source of Caffeine:                Caffeine Content in mg:       

                               (per 100ml.)                 (per container)

Brewed coffee                     55 – 85                      140–210 /250ml mug

Instant coffee                       35 – 45                        85–110 /250ml mug

Tea                                       25 – 55                        85–110 /250ml mug

Cocoa                                       3                                 7         /250ml mug

Coca Cola                             11                                36          per can

Pepsi Cola                               7                               22           per can

Milk chocolate             about 22 per 100 gm.

If you have been drinking more than 600 – 700 mg caffeine per day,  gradually reduce this over several weeks by:

·     Using decaffeinated (or at least instant) coffee and/or tea sometimes

·     Avoid brewed coffee or strong tea

·     Mix decaffeinated coffee powder with ordinary coffee powder

·     Either drink smaller volumes of coffee or tea or make drinks

 weaker

·     Drink caffeine drinks less often

·     Do not drink too many cola drinks