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Ask An Expert: How much caffeine is too much?

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USU Extension
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By: Cindy Nelson, Utah State University Extension associate professor

Caffeine can provide a boost of energy, help you become more alert, and improve your mood. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that caffeine is a drug that stimulates the nervous system and can cause negative side effects.

Depending on the amount of caffeine consumed, one or more of the following may occur: jitteriness, anxiety, irritability, increased blood pressure, stomach irritation, decreased length and quality of sleep, headaches, and abnormal heart rhythm.

The impacts of caffeine and the intensity of side effects can differ for everyone. What is okay for one person could be too much for another. The key is to watch for adverse side effects and decrease or avoid caffeine intake. Extremely high caffeine ingestion can trigger serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, or even death. Caffeine can cause serious health challenges for children.

The Mayo Clinic recommends the following daily limits of caffeine:

· Adults: less than 400 mg/day

· Adolescents: less than 100 mg/day

· Children: 0 mg/day

Caffeine can be harmful to some groups of people. Seek advice about caffeine consumption from your health care provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a sleep disorder, migraine, anxiety, GERD, ulcers, or high blood pressure. Problems with heart rhythm, heart rate, and certain medications can also have detrimental consequences.

If consumed regularly, a person can become dependent on caffeine. As little as 100 mg/day can cause dependency, so monitor your intake. The chart below shows commonly consumed caffeinated beverages and the amount of caffeine they contain.

Name

Standard Amount

Caffeine in Standard Amount

Caffeine in 16 Oz.

Energy Drinks

5-Hour Energy

2 oz.

200 mg

1,600 mg

Sobe No Fear

16 oz.

182 mg

182 mg

Monster

16 oz.

172 mg

172 mg

Rockstar

16 oz.

160 mg

160 mg

Red Bull

8.4 oz.

79 mg

151 mg

Coffee, Tea

Brewed Coffee

8 oz.

163 mg

324 mg

Average Coffee

8 oz.

95 mg

190 mg

Iced Tea

8 oz.

Average of 47 mg

94 mg

Soft Drinks

Mountain Dew

12 oz.

54 mg

         72 mg

Coke

12 oz.

34 mg

         45 mg

Diet Coke

12 oz.

45 mg

         60 mg

Pepsi

12 oz.

38 mg

         51 mg

Sprite

12 oz.

0 mg

          0 mg

Others

Chocolate Milk

8 oz.

5 mg

10 mg

Dark Chocolate

1 oz.

20 mg

320 mg

Milk Chocolate

1 oz.

6 mg

96 mg

Cold Relief Meds

1 tablet

30 mg

Vivarin

1 tablet

200 mg

Excedrin

2 tablets

130 mg

To reduce caffeine consumption, gradually swap caffeinated drinks with non-caffeinated drinks. Read labels on drinks, food, and medications to determine caffeine content, and stay away from those that contain high amounts. Replace your caffeinated beverage with water. Water can help flush caffeine out of your system and keep you properly hydrated. Indications of caffeine withdrawal include drowsiness, headaches, irritability, or trouble concentrating, but symptoms should last only a few days. Monitoring your caffeine consumption and following these recommendations and guidelines can lead to improved health and a longer life.

To view all references, see the article on Extension.usu.edu.

Nicholas Porath is a Logan native and music lover. Having graduated from USU with a degree in broadcast journalism, it was while studying journalism that he found his niche and newfound love for radio. He first started out as an intern behind the scenes and eventually made his way to the production and control rooms where he worked as a fill-in host, as well as producer for numerous UPR programs including <i>Cropping Up, Access Utah, Behind the Headlines</i> and more. In 2023 he took on a new hurdle as UPR’s new Radio Broadcast Engineer. He still works as a programming producer and is a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.