Many people rely on caffeine to get them through the day – and for good reason. Caffeine can help improve energy and performance. It can fight fatigue. It can even have a positive impact on certain health conditions, like inflammation, obesity, migraines, and cardiovascular disease. Of course, you want to prepare your coffee in the most healthful ways.
But having too many cups can leave you feeling less than ideal. So, how can you tell when you’ve indulged in too much caffeine?
Common Symptoms of Too Much Caffeine
Everyone’s body metabolizes caffeine differently. This makes it difficult to know how much caffeine you should have on any given day. Once you cross that caffeine line, you might find yourself experiencing one or more of these common yet milder symptoms:
- Feeling jittery
- Anxiety
- Dehydration or increased thirst
- Headaches or dizziness
- Sodium or water retention
- High blood pressure
- Digestive issues, like diarrhea
Though rare, it’s possible to do way too much on caffeine. This can result in more severe and concerning symptoms, like:
- Increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, or palpitations
- Paranoia
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
- Severe dehydration
- Vomiting
If you experience one of these telltale signs shortly after having caffeine, you may have had too much.
What Do You Do When You’ve Had Too Much Coffee?
If you’ve had too much coffee, chances are you’ll notice it within the first 45 minutes. The effects can last for as long as 3-5 hours or, up to 10 hours. Yikes!
Here are three ways to help you manage some of the more mild symptoms:
- Drink water. You may have heard that caffeine, can be a diuretic. It can also stimulate your bladder. This double whammy can lead to dehydration. So, to offset it, make sure to drink plenty of water and have more foods that are high in water such as watermelon, cucumbers, and strawberries.
- Eat high-fiber foods. When you have food in your stomach, it can slow the absorption of caffeine in your body that minimizes the effects of caffeine in the bloodstream. Even better is to eat foods that are high in fiber such as lentils, seeds, nuts, and starchy vegetables.
- Get moving. The extra caffeine in your body can give you a nice energy boost but might leave you feeling a bit shaky. Try burning off the excess energy by doing a little exercise. Throw on your running shoes and head outside for a quick stroll!
Caffeine in careful moderation isn’t a bad thing, especially when it comes from Matcha green tea. It’s best to keep the coffee to a minimum (1 cup) to avoid the jitters or upset stomach that can follow.
If you suspect caffeine could be contributing to your health challenges, we’ve got even more ways to help you kick the habit. Yes, you can improve your overall health without losing the quick ‘pick-me-up’ effects. Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha Complex or Rhodiola-Ginseng – plus a variety of coffee alternatives – can make the switch super easy. You might also love the combined adrenal support and B vitamins you get in ADB5-Plus!
Let us know if you need some help!