National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month in March reminds us that our fifth cup of caffeine may be harmful to our health.
While sticking to just one cup still has its benefits. When our blood pressure is up, or stomach acid bothers us, sometimes we need to give up the morning pick-me-up. This stimulant that provides jolts of energy throughout the day may not be offering the perk it once did. We can build up a tolerance and require more to feel the same boost. You can consider your sources and how much it takes to develop a benefit from caffeine these days. Take a daily tally of your total caffeine intake from all sources. Do you only have two cups, or after careful consideration is your caffeine intake substantially higher?
Possible sources:
- Sodas
- Tea
- Chocolate/cocoa
- Guarana/energy drinks
- Coffee
Remember, to include caffeine incorporated into our foods. Caffeine isn’t taken out of the coffee ice cream we enjoy before bed. If you wonder why you can’t sleep, that might be why. Don’t be surprised when you order an extra-large sweet tea at lunch and get the jitters and sweats during a meeting with the boss.
All these circumstances add up to our total caffeine intake and contribute to sleepless nights, increased blood pressure and stomach acid. However, studies show caffeine in moderation can be beneficial, and according to a study by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State researchers summarize that 3-4 cups equivalent to 300-400 milligrams of caffeine per day offer few health risks.
