Last month a 16 year old high school student from South
Carolina collapsed during class, according to the county coroner, too much
caffeine caused the death.
During an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, the heart
may not be able to pump enough blood to the body, and lack of blood flow
affects the brain, heart and other organs.
The teen consumed three caffeine-laced drinks -- a cafe
latte, large Diet Mountain Dew and an energy drink -- in a two-hour period
before collapsing in his classroom at Spring Hill High School on April 26,
Watts said. (Source: CNN)
How much caffeine can I drink a day?
Most people can safely take in about 400 milligrams of
caffeine daily or about 4 cups of coffee, the limit varies from person to
person.
It’s difficult to assign an exact amount for everyone
because people can have different sensitivities or reactions to caffeine based
on age, medical history, and tolerance.
However, there is enough research available to make a
recommendation based on an individual’s weight.
To keep it safe, health experts recommend a maximum dose
of 4 cups a day or 400 milligrams.
To see what this means for you, check out the caffeine in
some of these common drinks:
Starbucks Coffee (16 fl oz): 320 mg caffeine
5-hour energy (1.93 fl oz): 207 mg caffeine
Dunkin Donuts regular (16 fl oz): 203 mg caffeine
Starbucks Latte (16 fl oz): 150 mg caffeine
Coffee, brewed (8 fl oz): 133 mg caffeine
Red Bull Energy Shot (2 fl oz): 80 mg caffeine
Red Bull (8 fl oz): 80 mg caffeine
Tea (8 fl oz): 53 mg caffeine
How can caffeine kill?
Like other stimulants, caffeine raises blood pressure,
boosts heart rate and temporarily shrinks blood vessels.
In excess, the effects can be deadly by causing a heart
attack, stroke or other cardio-vascular-related problem.
Researchers think daily caffeine intake can increase the
risk of coronary heart disease, but the results so far have been inconclusive.
It’s also important to realize that medical conditions can affect
sensitivity to caffeine.
Jitters, Restlessness, and Nervousness
Increased heartbeat
Nausea
Anxiety
Heart palpitations (cardiac arrhythmia)
Insomnia
Sweating
Dizziness
Vomiting
Cardiac arrest
If you have anxiety, panic disorder, heart arrhythmia, high
blood pressure, diabetes, take medication or have any sort of medical
condition, then you may tolerate less caffeine and should speak to a doctor.
~Jennifer