You may have heard the troubling news about a South Carolina teenager who died from a caffeine overdose last month. And although it is certainly sad that the 16-year-old lost his life, you should not be concerned about caffeine taking your own life. And Iâm here to tell you why.
Caffeine Is Okay in Moderation
For the most part, caffeine is safe. A Mayo Clinic report from earlier this year showed that 400 mg per dayâtranslating to about four cups of coffeeâis perfectly safe for most adults. David Allen Cripe, the 16-year-old who died, consumed a very large amount of caffeine in a very short timeframe. Itâs been reported that he drank three high-caffeine beverages in under two hours, including a high-caffeine energy drink that he chugged shortly before his death.
If my math is correct, the latte from McDonaldâs, the large âMountain Dewâ soda, and the energy drink he consumed would likely come in at around 300 mgânot enough for a caffeine overdose, but far too much to consume in a couple of hours. The rapid pace at which these beverages were drunk was what led to the arrhythmia that killed him, not the caffeine itself.
So if youâre one of the millions of Americans who consumes an energy drink every day or has a couple of cups of coffee, you probably have nothing to worry about. An eight-ounce coffee has anywhere from 95 g to 165 g of caffeine, and youâre highly unlikely to chug such a hot beverage. Even drinking a single iced coffee quickly is unlikely to cause a caffeine overdose.
When Is Caffeine Consumption a Risk Factor?
There are certain groups, however, that should monitor caffeine consumption and the speed with which itâs consumed. These populations include people with existing heart conditions and high blood pressure. If you have anxiety, caffeine can also make it temporarily worse. Caffeineâor a caffeine overdoseâis unlikely to kill you, but exercising caution is always recommended, especially if you fall into one of these risk categories.
This does serve as an opportunity, however, to talk to your children or grandchildren about the potential effects of caffeine. Kids are drinking coffee at much younger ages than in previous years, sodas come in much bigger sizes, and energy drinks are big now and being marketed to teens. Itâs important for young people to know that any kind of caffeine should not be consumed quickly and should be used responsibly.
Side Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine can cause some side effects even in small doses, so itâs best to assess your own tolerance. Some of the side effects include:
- Feeling jittery
- Elevated heart rate
- Stomachaches
- Headaches
- Insomnia (especially if consumed about five to six hours before bed)
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
Also read:Â Caffeine Allergy: Is Coffee Intolerance Real?
Sources
âCaffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more,â Mayo Clinic, April 14, 2017; http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372, last accessed May 16, 2017.
âCoroner says South Carolina teenager died after drinking several high-caffeine drinksâ CBC, May 16, 2017; http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/caffeine-coroner-1.4116942, last accessed May 16, 2017.