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Coffee is safe for most healthy adults when consumed in moderate amounts (about four cups a day).
Drinking too much caffeinated coffee can have some side effects: insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, headache, anxiety, agitation, gastrointestinal problems, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and other side effects.
In the sections below, we present some of these risks:
1. Anxiety
Consumption of large amounts of caffeine can increase the risk of anxiety, especially among people with panic disorder or social anxiety disorder. Uncommonly, it can trigger psychosis.
2. Mental health
A 2016 study concluded that high caffeine consumption during adolescence can lead to permanent changes in the brain. Scientists have expressed concern that this could increase the risk of anxiety-related conditions in adulthood.
3. High blood pressure
Caffeine consumption can increase blood pressure. However, this effect may be less in the case of people who drink coffee regularly.
4. Iron deficiency anemia
There have been cases where coffee consumption has led to iron deficiency anemia, especially in mothers and infants due to the polyphenol content in coffee.
5. Presence of toxic ingredients
Poor quality coffee can have a lot of impurities, which can cause illness, headaches, or general malaise. In 2015, researchers discovered relatively high levels of mycotoxins (toxic substances) in commercial coffee. Some people fear that acrylamide, another chemical found in coffee, can be dangerous.
6. Coffee can kill you
Consuming 80-100 cups (23 liters) of coffee in a short time could be lethal. Vomiting is the first reaction of the body trying to protect itself from the effects of the substance.
7. Bone fractures
Some studies have found that women who drink a lot of coffee may have a higher risk of bone fractures. Consumption of caffeinated coffee can increase the amount of calcium in the urine. If you have osteoporosis, limit your caffeine intake to less than 3 cups of coffee a day. Taking calcium supplements can help make up for lost calcium.
8. Endometriosis
There is a higher risk of endometriosis in women who drink coffee, but there is not enough evidence to confirm such a link.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The researchers added that drinking coffee may not be safe during pregnancy. If you drink coffee during pregnancy, caffeine will reach the fetus. If you cannot give up coffee during pregnancy, try to reduce your consumption to one cup a day. There is some evidence to suggest a link between high coffee consumption and miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight.
Caffeine can also pass into breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should closely monitor their caffeine intake (one-two cups a day). High caffeine consumption by breastfeeding mothers can cause sleep problems, irritability, and increased intestinal activity in breastfed infants.
10. Urinary incontinence in children
A survey reported that caffeine consumption in children aged 5-7 years can increase enuresis, i.e. urinary incontinence.
11. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Caffeine increases gastric acid secretion and increases the chances of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
12. Diarrhea
Caffeine is a mild diuretic. Increases urinary flow and may cause dehydration. Coffee also has a laxative effect.
13. Glaucoma
Consumption of caffeinated coffee increases the pressure inside the eye. Growth begins within 30 minutes and lasts at least 90 minutes.
If you want to find out which foods diabetics should avoid, check out our article on this topic: 27 foods diabetics should avoid.
[Photo from Pixabay]
