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Many people begin their morning with a cup of coffee or an energy drink, making caffeine the most popular “drug” in the world. However, abusing stimulating drinks is not advisable as it can lead to caffeinism.
What is caffeinism?
Excessive consumption of caffeine causes caffeine dependence, or caffeinism, which is an unpleasant condition. Caffeine, being a plant-based stimulant, provides us with energy, improves mood, and can even alleviate headaches.
Various medicines contain caffeine in their composition, some of which are sold without a prescription. However, frequent consumption of caffeine can cause a situation where a person becomes unable to function properly without it.
In which products is caffeine contained?
Many food manufacturers add caffeine to their products to enhance flavor and induce addiction, contrary to the belief that caffeine is only found in coffee. Energy drinks are the most dangerous source of caffeine. Chocolate flakes and chocolate milk that people consume for breakfast also contain a large amount of the natural stimulant.
Green or black iced tea contains 25 to 50 mg of caffeine per bottle, along with different flavors, food additives E, and taste enhancers.
Here are some more examples of products that contain high amounts of caffeine:
- One cup of hot chocolate made from cocoa beans contains 40 to 50 mg of caffeine.
- Kombucha tea is a beverage that is rich not only in probiotics but also in caffeine. Therefore, it is advisable to consume it in moderation and preferably in the first half of the day.
How caffeine addiction manifests
Overdosing on caffeine causes addiction to develop when a person consumes it daily in large quantities, that is, more often than once every five to seven hours. In this case, the body simply does not have time to remove all the caffeine.
Many people face the manifestations of caffeine addiction since this stimulant is present in a large number of products. Several symptoms confirm this form of drug dependence and are listed below.
Headache
Breaking the tradition of regularly drinking coffee in the morning can cause a strong headache for some individuals. This is because caffeine slows down the blood flow to the brain and sudden withdrawal can result in changes in cerebral blood flow, which can be accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the temples and forehead.
Bruises
Excessive consumption of caffeine-containing products can lead to a deficiency of iron and even anemia, as caffeine suppresses iron absorption. Constant drowsiness, weakness, and unexplained bruises may be experienced by a person due to this condition.
Tremor of hands
Caffeine addiction can cause sudden hand tremors, usually after consuming a cup of coffee, accompanied by increased anxiety. The release of adrenaline due to the natural stimulant causes pulsation in the temples and tachycardia, leading to tremors.
Digestive Disorders
When a person develops caffeine addiction, it can lead to digestive disorders, including diarrhea. Although it is known that a cup of coffee in the morning speeds up the work of the intestines and stimulates digestion due to the production of gastrin, a hormone produced by G-cells of the stomach as a result of irritation of the organ, excessive caffeine consumption can cause the opposite effect. This can happen with both natural coffee beans and soluble drinks.
High Blood Pressure
Consuming excessive amounts of coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks can lead to elevated blood pressure. People who have previously been diagnosed with hypertension are usually the ones who experience this unpleasant symptom.
Caffeine Withdrawal Syndrome
If a person with caffeine addiction decides to abruptly stop consuming stimulant drinks, they will experience a withdrawal syndrome. The symptoms of this syndrome include morning nausea, decreased mental activity, impaired memory, and frequent mood swings. The signs of caffeine withdrawal syndrome usually start to appear 20-48 hours after the last cup of coffee.
How to combat caffeine addiction
Specialists recommend that individuals who wish to overcome their unhealthy caffeine cravings should gradually reduce the consumption of caffeine-containing beverages in their diet. Doing so will help prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms and depressive episodes.
Training oneself to not finish energizing drinks is another approach to overcome caffeine addiction. Gradually reducing the intake of caffeine-containing beverages will help the body adjust to smaller doses, potentially leading to a change in perspective towards coffee.
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