Effetti Collaterali Della Caffeina: 17 Possibili Modi In Cui La Caffeina In Eccesso Può Danneggiare

2024 Autore: Cecilia Ryder | [email protected]. Ultima modifica: 2023-12-17 14:21

La caffeina è consumata in tutto il mondo per le sue proprietà stimolanti. Tuttavia, l'eccessiva assunzione di caffeina (soprattutto caffè) sembra fare più danni. Gli studi dimostrano che la caffeina può indurre ansia e disturbi del sonno in alcuni individui (1).

La caffeina può creare dipendenza e talvolta può causare effetti negativi anche a dosaggi considerati sicuri. In questo post, abbiamo elencato gli effetti collaterali più comuni di avere troppa caffeina. Sii consapevole di questi prima di prendere la tua prossima tazza.

Sommario

• Caffeina - Breve
• In che modo la caffeina influisce sul nostro corpo?
• Effetti collaterali della caffeina
• Sintomi di astinenza da caffeina
• Dosaggio consigliato di caffeina

Caffeina - Breve

La caffeina è ben nota come stimolante energetico istantaneo. Aiuta le persone a combattere la sonnolenza. Eppure ci sono molte polemiche sul suo dosaggio ed efficacia.

La caffeina, scientificamente nota come metil teobromina, è un alcaloide. Questa sostanza naturale si trova in molte piante, tra cui chicchi di caffè, tè, noci di cola e baccelli di cacao. Questo alcaloide è una parte importante della piattaforma commerciale e la sua forma artificiale è ampiamente utilizzata nella produzione di farmaci da farmacia, bevande, cioccolatini e infusi di caffè.

Secondo gli studi, la caffeina è lo psicostimolante più consumato al mondo (2). Questo mostra come è anche probabile che venga consumato eccessivamente.

In che modo la caffeina influisce sul nostro corpo?

Poiché è solubile in acqua, la caffeina viene prontamente assorbita dal nostro sistema. Raggiunge il nostro flusso sanguigno in pochissimo tempo, partendo dallo stomaco al cervello. Ha effetti collaterali? Continua a leggere per sapere.

Effetti collaterali della caffeina

1. Può provocare attacchi di ansia
2. Può causare disturbi allo stomaco
3. Può causare insonnia
4. Può causare aborto spontaneo
5. Può aumentare i livelli di pressione sanguigna
6. Può causare problemi mestruali
7. Può aumentare il rischio di incontinenza urinaria
8. Potrebbe causare aumento di peso
9. Può causare allucinazioni
10. Può aumentare le possibilità di osteoporosi
11. Può interferire con la produzione di estrogeni
12. Può aumentare la possibilità di cisti del tessuto mammario
13. Potrebbe non essere buono per le persone con diabete di tipo 2
14. Può inibire la produzione di collagene nella pelle
15. Può compromettere il recupero della perdita dell'udito
16. Può scatenare l'acne
17. Può causare allergie

La sua natura avvincente rende la caffeina un grosso rischio, soprattutto tra adolescenti e adulti. Gli effetti collaterali ampiamente sperimentati della caffeina includono disidratazione, produzione eccessiva di urina che porta a disidratazione, disturbi di stomaco, nausea, aumento della pressione sanguigna, depressione, irrequietezza, aumento della frequenza cardiaca che porta alla morte, obesità, aumento del peso corporeo e febbre.

Continua a leggere per avere un quadro dettagliato degli effetti collaterali della caffeina:

1. Può provocare attacchi di ansia

Un consumo eccessivo di caffeina può portare a un grave caso di ansia. Studi condotti su bambini delle scuole secondarie hanno dimostrato che un'elevata assunzione di caffeina potrebbe essere associata a sentimenti di ansia e stress (3).

Una persona con ansia è nota per provare nervosismo e irrequietezza, anche in condizioni normali. La caffeina peggiora tali condizioni (3). Quindi, si dovrebbe essere molto cauti se si verificano questi sintomi.

Metodo di prevenzione

Le persone con disturbi d'ansia dovrebbero consultare il proprio medico prima di optare per la caffeina. Questo può escludere le possibilità di interazioni farmacologiche.

2. Può causare disturbi allo stomaco

Gli acidi presenti nella caffeina stimolano lo stomaco a produrre più acido. La caffeina (caffè) sembra promuovere il reflusso gastroesofageo (4). Prove aneddotiche suggeriscono che troppa caffeina può anche portare a disturbi di stomaco come nausea, crampi, diarrea e gonfiore.

Metodo di prevenzione

Se hai uno stomaco debole, limita la tua dose giornaliera di caffeina a due tazze (massimo).

3. Può causare insonnia

L'insonnia è un disturbo del sonno in cui una persona ha difficoltà ad addormentarsi o rimanere addormentato. È un sintomo di astinenza, che è combinato con altri problemi fisici, come aumento della stanchezza e mal di testa. Questo è un segno comune tra coloro che consumano molta caffeina.

Queste persone sperimenterebbero insonnia e irritabilità se si ritirassero dalla caffeina. Sebbene alcuni studi non abbiano riscontrato effetti importanti, l'assunzione di caffeina subito prima di coricarsi è stata associata all'insonnia (5).

Metodo di prevenzione

Il modo più semplice per affrontare l'insonnia è evitare la caffeina prima di andare a letto. Può anche aiutare ridurre il numero di tazze al giorno.

4. Può causare aborto spontaneo

Le donne incinte dovrebbero essere più caute con la caffeina poiché un'assunzione eccessiva può portare ad aborto spontaneo e altre complicazioni pre-parto (6).

Caffeine is water-soluble and easily crosses the placenta through the bloodstream. As it is a stimulant, it can cause a rapid increase in the heart rate and metabolism of the fetus. One of the side effects of too much caffeine includes delayed fetal growth (7).

Breastfeeding mothers should not consume more than two cups of coffee per day as it affects the baby directly by causing physical irritability. It may also affect iron status in the infant (8).

Prevention Method

Consult your family physician before you decide to take caffeine regularly. Under any circumstances, would-be mothers should not take more than 200 mg of caffeine in a day.

5. May Increase Blood Pressure Levels

People who have hypertension should be cautious about the amount of caffeine they consume on a daily basis.

Caffeine is known to spike your blood pressure for a short time (9). While there are no long-term effects of caffeine, some believe it may worsen the condition in people with irregular heart rhythms. On the other hand, certain studies state that the intake of coffee is not linked to hypertension (10). Hence, more research is needed to establish a connection.

Caffeine is also associated with a heart attack in young adults. According to a study, young adults with mild hypertension who consume more than four cups of coffee in a day are four times more vulnerable to heart attack than those who consume two cups or less (11).

Prevention Method

If you have hypertension or cardiovascular problems, it is better to seek a medical opinion before including caffeine in your daily routine.

6. May Induce Menstrual Problems

While a hot cup of coffee feels great during those days, excessive intake of caffeine can meddle with your menstrual cycle. It can cause period delays, excessive flow, and prolonged cramps.

Caffeine also increases the chance of vasomotor in menopausal women.

According to a study published in The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, menopausal women who are dependent on caffeine have a greater chance of displaying vasomotor symptoms (12).

Prevention Method

Quantity is key. You should always measure what you consume, whether it is caffeine or not. Consulting a doctor is also an important step, especially if you have menstrual problems.

7. May Increase The Risk Of Urinary Incontinence

Caffeine increases the chances of urinary incontinence in women (13). It is a bladder disorder in which the person loses control of the bladder. It results in the sudden leakage of urine whenever the person laughs, coughs, or sneezes.

Prevention Method

Avoid consuming more than two cups of caffeine in a day.

8. Might Cause Weight Gain

Caffeine may induce stress. Animal studies show that stress can lead to obesity (14). However, there is no direct research stating that caffeine can lead to weight gain and long-term obesity.

Some believe that caffeine brings up the levels of stress hormones, which results in increased hunger pangs. This is not proven by research, though.

Prevention Method

Coffee is great. But making it a habit can add extra kilos to your body. Make it a point to have no more than two-three cups of caffeine in a day, and that includes coffee, cola, chocolate, and tea.

9. May Cause Hallucinations

It is true that caffeine can make you high. If you go overboard, you may experience confusion and hallucinations. These effects were more pronounced in those taking more than seven cups of coffee (more than 300 mg of caffeine in a day) (15). In some cases, this has even led to death due to convulsions (16).

Prevention Method

If you feel you are getting addicted to caffeine, start cutting down your daily consumption slowly.

10. May Increase The Chances Of Osteoporosis

Consuming caffeine in large quantities may also increase the risk of osteoporosis. This effect was found to be true in elderly women, whose calcium performance was already impaired (17). It interferes with the absorption of calcium, resulting in bone thinning (osteoporosis), especially in older women whose intake of calcium is below the recommended intake (18).

Overconsumption of caffeine may also cause achy muscles and twitches, though more research is needed to understand this aspect.

Prevention Method

Avoid caffeine if you have calcium deficiency, as it may worsen the condition.

11. May Interfere With Estrogen Production

Caffeine is known to interfere with estrogen production and metabolism. While it increased estrogen production in Asians, it decreased the levels in white females (19).

Some believe that caffeine can reduce a woman’s chances of getting pregnant (the higher the caffeine dependency, the greater the risk), though this has not been proven.

It also is believed that caffeine can have strong effects that may complicate pregnancy. Since research is lacking, we suggest that women who look forward to conceiving consult their doctor before taking caffeine.

Prevention Method

Consult your doctor for the recommended safe dosage of caffeine.

12. Can Increase The Chance Of Breast Tissue Cysts

According to a published study, women who consume more than 500 mg of caffeine per day have twice more chances of developing breast tissue cysts than those who take 31-250 mg of caffeine (20).

Prevention Method

Limit your caffeine intake.

13. May Not Be Good For Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may want to consider limiting your caffeine intake. It may impair glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of diabetes complications (21).

Prevention Method

Consult your physician and get your daily caffeine limit defined.

14. Can Inhibit Collagen Production In The Skin

Caffeine was found to reduce collagen production in human skin (22).

Prevention Method

This problem could be easily prevented by limiting your caffeine dose.

15. May Impair Hearing Loss Recovery

According to a study conducted on guinea pigs, caffeine may also delay the recovery rate of noise-induced hearing loss (23). The same correlation is believed to be observed in humans as well.

Prevention Method

The ideal solution is not to consume more than 400 mg of caffeine in a day.

Insufficient Evidence For The Following

16. May Trigger Acne

Having numerous cups of coffee in a day can also cause acne. Caffeine magnifies the body’s stress levels by boosting stress hormones, which is one of the main reasons for breakouts. Caffeine can also throw your body off balance, causing stress and eventually breakouts.

Prevention Method

If you love your skin and are quite vulnerable to acne breakouts, limit your caffeine intake.

17. May Cause Allergies

Caffeine allergy is highly uncommon, but some people might develop oversensitivity to it. This may cause allergic symptoms, like rashes, hives, and pain.

Prevention Method

If you experience such reactions, it is better to quit caffeine. Seek a doctor’s advice if the problem persists.

Some of the side effects could be quite uncomfortable. But does this mean you need totally abstain from caffeine? Well, doing that too early may lead to caffeine withdrawal, especially if you are used to consuming caffeine on a regular basis.

Symptoms Of Caffeine Withdrawal

According to research, more than 68 million Americans are caffeine-dependent.

But why do we get addicted to caffeine?

Caffeine is a smart drug. It suppresses adenosine, a chemical produced by the brain that relaxes our body. It leads to a tense surge of energy in our system. This, in turn, forces our brain to demand increased levels of caffeine to stimulate the same reaction. Thus, caffeine dependency is created. These are the caffeine side effects on the brain.

People who try to get off caffeine experience a lot of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are generally mild but can also be fatal for those who are highly accustomed to caffeine.

The general short-term withdrawal symptoms include (24):

• Headache
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Grogginess
• Lethargy
• Muscle pain
• Depression
• Lack of concentration

Recommended Dosage Of Caffeine

Caffeine, with its taste and neuropsychiatric effects, has claimed a prominent place in our lives. Whether it is in chocolates or your morning beverage, it is almost impossible to avoid it. But there’s an important question we need to consider – how much of caffeine is too much?

Caffeine is a drug. Just like other allopathic drugs, caffeine can also affect people differently. Always remember that any pre-existing medical condition can add to the negative effects of caffeine. Thus, knowing our body condition, medical history, and daily intake is important. In fact, half the troubles associated with this drug can be diminished by keeping a tab on the quantity consumed daily.

What is the safe limit for caffeine?

A healthy adult can consume up to 400 mg (about 4 cups of coffee, or 10 cans of aerated caffeinated drinks) of caffeine daily without worrying about the side effects (24). However, this upper limit is highly dependent on your present health condition and other medications you are on.

Children under the age of five should avoid caffeine. Teenagers and young adults should not go for more than 100 mg of caffeine daily.

Conclusion

Though caffeine is generally considered safe for most people, too much of it can cause harm. It is important you stick to just a cup or two of coffee a day. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women are recommended to avoid caffeine.

If you are on any medications or have any specific health condition, we suggest you speak to your health care provider before you start consuming caffeine.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Does caffeine cause dehydration and dry mouths?

Caffeine is a natural diuretic. Some theories suggest that caffeine causes too much fluid to leave the system, resulting in dehydration and a dry mouth. Some also believe that having caffeine is not a good idea while working out as it can cause excessive dehydration. However, research is limited.

In fact, one study states that there could be no link between caffeine intake and dehydration or dry mouth (25).

Does caffeine increase the risk of gout?

Research is limited here. Conversely, some research suggests that long-term caffeine intake may reduce the risk of gout (26). To be on the safe side, if you have gout, please consult your doctor before consuming caffeine.

What are the different ways to reduce caffeine intake?

One should never quit caffeine abruptly. It may lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, especially if you are habituated to caffeine.

A better solution is to go for a step-by-step reduction method. Begin by cutting down on the number of cups you take in a day. Continue this for a few months until you are sure you won’t cheat. Then, start replacing this high-caffeine beverage with something healthier, like green or white tea and organic fruit juice. Keep your physician in the loop at all times.

Can we take supplements along with caffeine?

You are allowed to take certain supplements along with caffeine, especially those that are known to help cleanse the colon, stimulate digestive enzymes, and rehydrate cells. However, one must avoid herbs and supplements that are known to increase the risk of bleeding. Do consult your doctor before going for drugs and supplements as your medical history may aggravate the problem.

How much caffeine is found in chocolates and beverages?

Coffee is known to contain the maximum amount of caffeine. The quantity of caffeine, however, is highly dependent on the brewing method, the strength of the brew, type of coffee bean, and the cup size. A typical 250 ml cup of black coffee contains about 85 mg of caffeine. A single espresso shot has about 63 mg caffeine, while one cup of decaf coffee contains about 3 mg caffeine.

On the other hand, an 8-ounce can of red bull contains about 78-80 mg of caffeine. A cup of green tea is known to contain 20-45 mg of caffeine. Cola contains about 30-48 mg of caffeine per can.

Like coffee, the caffeine content in chocolates is also highly dependent on its type. A bar of milk chocolate contains about 1.4 mg of caffeine, which can go as high as 70 mg for a typical dark chocolate bar.

25 sources

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