But before you reach for that Mountain Dew or a hot cup of coffee, maybe you should be aware of the consequences your body could face if excessive amounts of caffeine are consumed. Caffeine is considered a stimulant drug because it increases activity in the central nervous system, which explains why one s body feels alert after a quick dose of it. Caffeine is absorbed into the system fairly quickly and the effects of the ingestion peak after 30 minutes. Jittery sensations, racing heartbeat, upset stomach and headaches are all symptoms that caffeine can cause. Consumption of more than 600 milligrams a day can lead to stomach ulcers, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure and insomnia.
Coffee is the world s most popular stimulant.
According to the Rockwood Report, four out of five Americans drink coffee, consuming more than 400 million cups a day. To tell if you are caffeine dependent, eliminate caffeine completely from your diet for one day. If you wake up the next morning with a pounding headache and then intake caffeine and you feel better, then you are more than likely to be caffeine dependent. Caffeine can also be harmful when it is combined with stress. People who have high blood pressure should take it easy on the caffeine when they are faced in stressful situations.