Caffeine poisoning: symptoms, consequences, prevention

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Numerous studies confirm its benefits, but few people think about the possible risks of drinking it.

While early studies suggested that coffee could cause health problems, recent scientific work strongly suggests that there are actually health benefits to drinking it.

For example, moderate coffee consumption – about two to five cups a day – reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancer, Parkinson’s disease and depression.

Some groups should be more cautious about coffee consumption. This is especially true for children and pregnant women. It should also be remembered that too much caffeine can cause anxiety in people with panic or anxiety disorders.

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In what cases can coffee lead to poisoning?

MD, professor, integrative and anti-aging medicine specialist

“Coffee is valued for its flavor and invigorating effect.”

Caffeine is a stimulant that has been used around the world for centuries because of its ability to improve mental alertness. About 85% of people consume coffee every day, and the average cup of coffee contains between 40 and 150 mg of caffeine: it all depends on the strength of the brewed beverage.

At a dose of 400 mg a person will already feel restless and irritable, and symptoms of intoxication will appear at a dose of 1200 mg of caffeine, which is about 12 cups of coffee per day.

Of course, these are averages, as each person has a different level of caffeine metabolism in the body.

Caffeine can also be found in many over-the-counter medications (appetite suppressants, exercise supplements, decongestants, bronchodilators, and mental stimulants), which increases the risk of toxicity in an unintentional overdose.

Symptoms of coffee poisoning

The following are the key symptoms of a caffeine overdose:

tremors, restlessness, and nervousness;
scattered thoughts;
excessive talking;
inability to concentrate on anything;
irritability;
high blood pressure;
palpitations;

nausea;
insomnia;
sweating;
dizziness;
vomiting.

There are many common symptoms that indicate excessive caffeine use, but these are the most common.

What signs require emergency treatment?

Some symptoms of caffeine overuse can lead to life-threatening consequences. An ambulance should be called if a person experiences any of the following signs:

Abnormal heart rhythm;
chest pain;
seizures;
confusion;
cardiac arrest.

This requires urgent medical attention, as in its absence the person will die.

Is it possible to get poisoned if you buy bad beans?

Coffee does not actually “spoil”. Using coffee from old beans will not poison you, even if the expiration date has passed, but you will not feel the flavor.

Is it possible to get poisoned if you do not clean the coffee maker well?

There is a risk of poisoning. If you do not wash the coffee maker and leave it in the kitchen, then it will easily develop pathogenic bacteria or mold fungi on the remains of organic contents. Of course, using such utensils can lead to food poisoning.

Measures to prevent poisoning in coffee shops

Not always the conditions of coffee preparation in such establishments meet the standards. Therefore, there is a risk of poisoning.

When choosing a coffee shop, inspect the equipment – it must be clean and well-maintained. The presence of fatty deposits and dead coffee particles can indicate poor service. The work areas where the drink is prepared should also be kept clean.

Don’t hesitate to ask baristas how often they clean the machine and its components. This is standard practice in most professional establishments.