Are You "Caffeine Sensitive"?

A report from England's Daily Mail came across my desk recently:

A 40-year-old man, a daily user of an energy drink, consuming 320 mg daily, collapsed at the end of his work shift in a supermarket.

Is this a high dose of caffeine? No, not for the average person, where in the US, the recommended daily intake is around 300 mg per day. This is about 2-3 cups of coffee or about 6 cups of tea. "Energy" drinks vary in their caffeine content - from about 80 mg per serving to about 300 mg in a serving.

It turns out, after an autopsy, that he had an enlarged heart. The pathologist on the case suggested that his higher-than-average caffeine consumption might have contributed to his heart attack, although for the vast majority of people this amount of caffeine is readily tolerable. While it's hard to say whether his caffeine consumption was a direct contributor to his cardiac problems, it's a good time, I think, to point out, that it's important to know your own sensitivities to even "natural" stimulants.

I've written before about the "pros and cons" , and "myths and facts" related to caffeine. Among the major buzzwords for those choosing to consume caffeine is that of the "caffeine sensitive" person. What does that mean, and does it really make any difference?

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, and produces the familiar and desired effects of a stimulant - improved mental focus, arousal, and alertness, for example. The related biological effects also occur as part of this arousal mechanism - increased heart rate and increase in blood pressure. Here's where the caffeine sensitive part comes in. If you have a biological sensitivity to these effects, it's possible your body can "over-respond" to the metabolic signals from caffeine, and cause some potential health damage.

If you're a caffeine consumer, pay attention to how much caffeine you consume in a day. Watch out for terms like "turbo" or "super-caffeinated", and read the label on those energy drinks, to determine how much you're consuming at one time.

While caffeine is one of nature's stimulants, with many positives, now that caffeine is put in every product from cold remedies to diet pills, to energy boosters, it can often be too much of a good thing. How much caffeine do you consume?

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Comments

My doctor told me to cut back on my caffeine consumption and limit myself to only one or two caffeinated diet pops per day. I do not drink coffee. So I now find myself reaching for the caffeine-free Coca-Cola in the break room, while avoiding the tempting, but caffeine-rich chocolate snacks often found there.

A morning coffee is the perfect way to start my day, this is a frightening story but reconfirms that moderation is important in all things.

Blueberry coffee by Green Mountain!! you MUST try it. it's fair trade too! http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_54178_green_mountain_coffee_fair_trade_wild_reviews

I had a TIA last summer, and my doctor told me to cut caffeine from my diet, however, he never explained to me why. I am a 34 year young mother of 4; 14. 11, 6, and 14 months. I notice I satrt to drink sodas around 2pm, and somwtimes even noon, until about 9:00 or 10:00pm. I consume on average, about 3-4 a day during that time.

I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, which is more of an adrenaline problem than a heart problem. I used to looooove caffeine, but after my problem got worse back in January, I haven't had any caffeine at ALL in months. Which is hard because I used to be a barista. I love coffee, but now I drink decaf all day:(

My kids can always tell when I've been using caffeine. I'm edgy, reactive and tempermental. When I've had a few days to clear it all out of my system and get my sleep pattern back, I'm a "nice Mom" again.
Besides, for us over-40's, there's a huge caff-effect to our ankles and under-eye bags. Not attractive!

My kids can always tell when I've been using caffeine. I'm edgy, reactive and tempermental. When I've had a few days to clear it all out of my system and get my sleep pattern back, I'm a "nice Mom" again.
Besides, for us over-40's, there's a huge caff-effect to our ankles and under-eye bags. Not attractive!

i just drink tea 98% of the time
when i drink coffee i do get sick
my heart rate goes up that for sure

I am a female approaching 50. I found that since I have cut back on my caffeine consumption, I sleep better.

I've started to drink green tea to help me lose weight & almost no coffee. The tea has almost the same stimulating effect as coffee so I'm happy to have found a healthy alternative that doesn't have too much cafeine in it & no false sugar, which is also harmful & found in diet sodas.

I've started to drink green tea to help me lose weight & almost no coffee. The tea has almost the same stimulating effect as coffee so I'm happy to have found a healthy alternative that doesn't have too much cafeine in it & no false sugar, which is also harmful & found in diet sodas.

I can no longer have caffeine because of a stroke suffered three years ago after consuming a cup of coffee in the afternoon to boost my energy.
"Learned my lesson"

a colleague of mine, at the start of our shift, drank about 2-3 cans of red bull on an empty stomache.

he ended up going cold turkey about an hour later. his body was heaty but he felt really cold. he even went to hide underneath the table coz he was feeling too cold. it was crazy!

after that i stayed away from red bull. haha.

I love coffee,I am 53 years old,and love to drink two or three cups every day, I am not sick and sleep well. I believe others habits and life style had to deal with it.

Dr. Rosales, a neurologist informed us that 1 cup of coffee helps retard the progress of AD.

Dr. Rosales, a neurologist informed us that 1 cup of coffee helps retard the progress of AD.

I love to drink coffee to start my day. Then when I reach the office I always have another cup and I get actively alert in my work. However,if I get another cup in the mid afternoon, I sometimes do get palpitations.

does any one know if coffee would have a reaction on my skin. I have brown spots all over my body, like little sun spots very extreme on my thighs. I am not a sun lover but I am a coffee lover. I would appreciate any info on this thanks.

A DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT I HAVE EXRA-SISTOLES BECAUSE OF THE CAFFEINE,AND BECAUSE OF THAT I REDUCED THE QUANTITY .
NOW I DRINK ONLY TWO CUPS A DAY WHEN I FEEL STRESSED

i have to admit i'm a coffee-holic. i drink about 4 POTS everyday plus diet soda. i can drink coffe up to an hour before i go to bed and fall asleep normally. i can't imagine the side effects i would have if i went cold turkey. i know my husband would probably divorce me !!!!