THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE
Though there are many positive qualities of caffeine, and there are negative ones, too. There are side effects if consumed too much. Anything, if done heavily, can be bad for you. That can be said for everything in life. Some people can handle moderation, while others cannot. When you cross that line, you'll experience the side effects firsthand. Many things can happen.
Jittery - Almost everyone who drinks too much coffee or energy drinks experiences this at some time during their day. Some people may even like it! They want to get to that point. However, to most, it's not a pleasant feeling. If you stop and stand still and take a look at your hands, you may see them slighly shaking or twitching. This is a sign you've consumed too much caffeine.
Ever see someone who drank a whole pot of coffee try and pour some for others? They are literally shaking the pot, as you can see the coffee swishing around inside.
What is this caused from?
Caffeine is a stimulant, and therefore every time you consume it, in whatever form, your heart rate is increased. Many people who have the "jittery shakes" experience increased heart rates, as it may also cause shortness of breath. That's not good. Too much can cause serious health problems, especially for your heart. Do you want a heart attack? Don't overdo it. Don't drink that giant energy drink. Moderation is the key.
If you do experience the shakes, or shortness of breath, immediately stop and switch to water. Your body is telling you something is wrong.
Can't sleep at night - One of the main side effects of caffeine is being unable to sleep at night. If you drink too much coffee past a certain time of day, then you should expect to be up late because of it. Many people who have trouble sleeping only consume caffeine during the early hours of the morning. Everyone slips up from time to time, and when they do, they usually regret it.
I consume a fair share myself, and once in a while, I'll drink too much during the night, for whatever reason. When I do that, I often times can't sleep, and end up staying awake until 3am or later. It makes me very angry and regretful. Sleep is something I enjoy, and when it's taken away from me because of something stupid, then that makes me very upset.
So, in order to avoid sleepless nights, time your consumption right. Don't drink at 10pm if you have to get up at 6am. You won't be able to sleep and you'll regret it.
Constantly going to the bathroom - Coffee runs right through you, so you'll increase the number of times you go to the bathroom. Are you at an important meeting? Are you on a flight sitting against the window? Are you in the middle of work and you have to go? Don't blame the situation, blame your consumption. You most likely overdid it.
You should immediately stop and switch to water or nothing at all. Consuming more will just make you go more times.
Dehydration - If you're constantly going to the bathroom, then you are dehydrating yourself, and that can also cause problems. It might upset your stomach, or make you feel uneasy or nautious. If you're starting to feel worse than before, immediately switch to water because it's probably a sign your body is telling you that you're dehydrated.
Loss of appetite - Many people will drink coffee because of this trait that caffeine has. Because it's a stimulant, it decreases your appetite, so you eat less. Whether you are trying to "diet" and this is your way of doing it, you're not doing your body any favors by starving it. You're only doing harm.
If you consume too much, you'll notice that you're not hungry, and it could be hours before you'll eat again. That is not good. You need to eat every 4-5 hours or so.
The smart thing to do is to eat food while you drink your morning beverage, so when the side effects kick in, you'll already have food in your stomach. Again, moderation is key. Never drink too much or you'll potentially lose your appetite for hours afterwards, and that's not healthy for your body.
