Coffee is like a food group for many Americans, often being more coveted than breakfast or even sleep. Along with the heady, earthy aroma comes a sizable dose of caffeine. There is a litany of literature that hails the risks and benefits of caffeine. For instance Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., a Clinical Neuropsychologist toted the idea that coffee drinkers will, on average, contract Alzheimer’s disease 10 years later than most other Alzheimer’s patients. Caffeine is a prime ingredient in many metabolic supplements and energy pills. It occurs in many forms naturally, be it Green Teal Leaves or Yerba Mate. If you are wondering how much is too much, that all depends on who you are and how you feel when exposed to the stuff. A good upper limit for the caffeine consumption is 300 milligrams. You can consume more, but the risk for adverse side effects will increase (outlined below).
Depending on the brew, most traditional coffees pack between 95 and 200 milligrams of caffeine. Monster energy drinks have about 131 Milligrams of caffeine in each 16oz can, along with its terrible flavor. You can venture over the 300 milligram limit if you want, but curb it back if you feel anxiety and the jitters interfering with your 7-8 hours of sleep. Possible additional side-effects can include: insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea or other gastrointestinal problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle tremors, headaches, and anxiety.
There is another natural energy source that is chock full of mental and physical performance aid. It provides a long-term source of strength and endurance, and assists in focus of mental faculties. The follow-on article will describe the process and value of this wonderful process: sleep.
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