03/18/2020 / By Darnel Fernandez
Coffee has become a fundamental part of many people’s lives. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who does not enjoy an energizing cup of coffee to start off the morning. The rich beverage’s energy-boosting effects can be attributed to its caffeine content – a food component that 85 percent of the U.S. population consumes at least once a day. While the quick burst of energy is appreciated every once in a while, too much caffeine can lead to negative consequences on one’s health.
Experts have established an association between mental health and caffeine intake. They note that taking too many caffeine-rich beverages can cause insomnia, jitters and even nervousness. Further, people already suffering from anxiety disorders are more susceptible to the negative effects of caffeine. Because of this, they should always keep tabs on their caffeine intake to avoid the unpleasant side effects.
“Caffeine is not the enemy,” said Julie Radico, a clinical psychologist from Penn State Health. “But I encourage people to know healthy limits and consume it strategically because it is activating and can mimic or exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety.”
Experts consider 50 to 200 mg to be low enough doses of caffeine to not cause any harm. However, if the consumption goes more than 400 mg at a time, you might start experiencing the effects of caffeine. A report from Harvard Medical School suggests that excessive caffeine can mimic the symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms include a faster heart rate, nervousness and restlessness.
In addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) – which is a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association for mental health diagnoses – lists four disorders associated with excessive caffeine intake:
The effects of these disorders are exacerbated by a higher amount of caffeine intake. It is recommended to consume no more than 100 mg per day, which is already a low threshold when considering the number of products that contain caffeine.
For example, a can of regular Coca-Cola contains about 35 mg of caffeine, compared to the 100 mg of caffeine provided by a generic, home brewed cup of coffee. Some drinks can contain even more caffeine than expected. (Related: Decaf vs regular coffee: What are the different health benefits?)
“When you buy larger bottles of these sodas, they also have more than one serving in a bottle,” said Matthew Silvis, chief of the Division of Primary Care Sorts Medicine at Penn State Health. “You may drink the whole thing and not even realize you are consuming twice or even three times the amount of caffeine in a single serving.”
While anxiety is a normal part of everyday life, too much of it can leave a negative impact on the quality of your life. Apart from reducing your caffeine intake, here is a list of natural methods to curb anxiety:
Learn more about the effects of anxiety disorders at MindBodyScience.news.
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