Large Review of Caffeine Intake Concludes: It’s Okay…
The IFIC has published a large review of caffeine research. It’s conclusion:
Moderate intake of 300 mg/day (about three cups of coffee per day) of caffeine does not cause adverse health effects in healthy adults, although some groups, including those with hypertension and the elderly, may be more vulnerable. Also, regular consumers of coffee and other caffeinated beverages may experience some undesirable, but mild, short-lived symptoms if they stop consuming caffeine, particularly if the cessation is abrupt. However, there is little evidence of health risks of caffeine consumption.
The report has lots of fascinating insights:
On Addiction and Dependence
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-IV, 1994), there is currently not enough evidence to show that caffeine “dependence” is associated with a significant clinical disorder. However, DSM IV does provide a diagnosis of caffeine intoxication that may occur with consumption in excess of 250 mg, in more sensitive subpopulations.
Symptoms may include excitement, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, diuresis, or gastrointestinal disturbance. Other symptoms of restlessness may occur if consumption exceeds 1,000 mg/day. [FDLJ, 2006]
You can see the original PDF here.
I think it’s time that some local politicians stopped chasing after caffeine and spent more time attending to the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse – both of which do lead to powerful addictions that often result in family and societal breakdown.
Many things can cause problems if they are overused. Even food. Eat too much – you get fat and maybe you get diabetes. Should we ban food? Some kids get carried away with too many energy drinks and learn some consequences. That’s life.
15 Comments
I agree 100% but unfortunately some don’t understand moderation. As they say, “one bad apple spoils the bunch”
Hey, don’t talk about my drugs that way. It’s not all scourge and gloom! Caffeine is one of many chemicals that can be a part of our lives in a healthy way if not abused.
Yes. We should ban food. The obesity epidemic would end in about a month. Come to think of it, that would also help with global warming and overpopulation. Well, it would take care of “population” altogether…
i lol’d at the ban food comment.
Haha! I knew my daily caffeine intake isn;t wnough to kill a human…maybe a baby…or a dog.
“Some kids get carried away with too many energy drinks and learn some consequences.”
I hear that. Why are kids using energy drinks anyway? The only caffeinated drink I had until I was 17 or so was maybe a soda or two a day.
The thing with everything you put into your body is moderation. An energy drink every day is probably not the way to go, what with the unknown long term effects of some of the things in many that are not caffeine. Unhealthy food, unhealthy drinks, and unhealthy drugs can, for the most part, be enjoyed in small amounts every once in awhile without a detrimental effect. Bad things happen if you can’t get through your day without a particular substance, whether it be Spike Shooter, a BK Quad Stacker, or a syringe full of heroin.
“Why are kids using energy drinks anyway? The only caffeinated drink I had until I was 17 or so was maybe a soda or two a day.”
In my opinion, the legal buzz. Heck in highschool my friend’s and I would chew up some caffeine pills, wash it down with some Jolt, and then go out for a cup of coffee.
Also a lot of energy drinks just taste good and many kids drink soda frequently. To be frank, isn’t that exactly what and energy drink is?
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Caffeine boosts your metabolism, mental focus, athletic performance, and keeps you awake!
What’s not to like?!
Caffeine is GOOD. Except this one time where I had 500mg inside of half an hour, and several cigarettes, not counting the “Energy Blend” of the Spike Shotgun. That was interesting.
I cut all caffeine, I sleep better, no more headache on weekend because I don’t drink as many cups of coffe than at the office. I drink decaf now, while it is not 100% caffeine free, unless drinking 15 cups, you’ll never reach the 80mg treshold which is the maximum intake sets by the Canada Federal government.
Comment: ROSE’S KOLA TONIC. A friend of mine damaged his liver by alcohol abuse and was forced to become a teetotaller. He however started to drink RKT with lemonade not knowing about the caffeine content. I am of the opinion that RKT contributed to his early death. We could have prevented it in warning him about the dangerous levels of caffeine in RKT. I nearly fell in the same trap. Due to Hepatitis B, I drank grape juice and then RKT in large amounts. Fortunately a relative warned me in time to stop using it. The point is that the caffeine content per volume in RKT should be clearly stated on the label and not in hidden fine script and then in so much per dilution. The alcohol in brandy is not given in so much per double brandy and coke. Woolworths (a respectable shop concerned about proper labelling regarding content) tried to shut me up and gave me a cold shoulder. Tiger Brands, the suppliers, also played hide and seek until recently. I have managed to force them to admit that their practice is somewhat illegal. They say now that they will give attention in time. Any comment/reaction? Pieter de Waal
Caffeine intoxication – KOLA TONIC KILLS
An acute overdose of caffeine, usually in excess of about 300 milligrams, dependent on body weight and level of caffeine tolerance, can result in a state of central nervous system over-stimulation called caffeine intoxication,[75] colloquially “caffeine jitters”. The symptoms of caffeine intoxication are not unlike overdoses of other stimulants. It may include restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, increased urination, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, a rambling flow of thought and speech, irritability, irregular or rapid heart beat, and psychomotor agitation.[73] In cases of much larger overdoses mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, loss of social inhibition, delusions, hallucinations, psychosis, rhabdomyolysis, and death may occur.[76][77]
In cases of extreme overdose, death can result. The median lethal dose (LD50) given orally, is 192 milligrams per kilogram in rats.[1] The LD50 of caffeine in humans is dependent on weight and individual sensitivity and estimated to be about 150 to 200 milligrams per kilogram of body mass, roughly 80 to 100 cups of coffee for an average adult taken within a limited time frame that is dependent on half-life. Though achieving lethal dose with caffeine would be exceptionally difficult with regular coffee, there have been reported deaths from overdosing on caffeine pills, with serious symptoms of overdose requiring hospitalization occurring from as little as 2 grams of caffeine.[78][79][80][81] Death typically occurs due to ventricular fibrillation brought about by effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular system.
Treatment of severe caffeine intoxication is generally supportive, providing treatment of the immediate symptoms, but if the patient has very high serum levels of caffeine then peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, or hemofiltration may be required.
Dear Woolworths,
I was not actually applying for a post. My intention was to get hold of your Customer Service section to report on your South African namesake.
I am having a case of Woolies selling a product that contains large enough amounts of caffeine to kill a man. The product is Rose’s Kola Tonic supplied by Tiger Food Brands . The label on the product do not clearly state the caffeine content per volume, but is showing in hidden fine script the caffeine in so much per dilution. This is somewhat illegal.
Woolies SA however, dodged me for years on the issue and later insulted me on my cell (mobile phone), gave me a cold shoulder or ignored my polite requests. They even lied later about the history of me requests.
I have chosen Woolies because they advertise openly (and do it well too) about their concern about proper labelling. They, however, ignored my attention and refused or was afraid to deal with the matter.
Please refer this mail to the right authorities in the UK and ask them to convince Woolies SA to deal with their supplier.
Your attention will be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Pieter de Waal.
South Africa
[...] Science once again proves moderation is the key [...]