Over 90% of Americans consume caffeine in one form or another. Over 50% of Americans consume 300 mg of caffeine per day making it the most common drug in America by far. Although caffeine may have its perks, too much may cause unwanted side effects such as insomnia, sleep disruptions, nervousness, irritability, upset stomach, fast heartbeat, and muscle tremors. Caffeine may also interfere with your body's ability to use folate, vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6 which will overtime deplete your energy. Caffeine may also over stimulate your adrenals which activate your fight or flight response creating a hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. To avoid the negative effects of caffeine, limit your intake to no more than 200 mg per day.
~submitted by
Katie Kunkel, MS, RD, LDN
Assistant Director of Dining Services
Three Crowns Park