Love coffee? 5 signs you’re overdoing your caffeine intake

From the guzzler to the aroma enthusiast, there are all kinds of coffee drinkers out there. For many, their coffee cuppa is as essential to their routine as brushing one’s teeth. But this addictive drink can have many pronounced effects on your health and well-being as well.

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If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re drinking too much coffee, here are some signs that will make you rethink your daily drinking habits.

Disrupted Sleep Pattern

While your morning java helps you wake up and fight lethargy in the afternoon, the amount of coffee you drink in the day directly impacts your sleep cycle. Studies have found that having substantial amounts of caffeine even six hours before bedtime can disturb sleep quality.

Constant Anxiety

As a stimulant, coffee triggers your body’s natural ‘fight or flight’ mode, which means even moderate amounts of coffee can aggravate anxious feelings. This is especially important for people who already struggle with general anxiety disorder and stress.

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The Laxative Effect

You may already know that coffee makes you poop. Some even use coffee to keep their functions regular but people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may face their intestinal problems getting worse from coffee. A little too much and your cup of java may even cause you diarrhoea.

A Jitter Juice

The rush of energy after you guzzle a cuppa is almost always followed by a crash. Also called ‘coffee jitters’, if you can feel your heart racing, face nausea, sweatiness or have a sense of shakiness then you may want to slow down your coffee roll and reach for a glass of water instead.

Weight Gain

Unless you’re always drinking your coffee black and sugar-free, the multiple rounds of milk, cream and sweeteners with each cup can add up quickly. All those extra calories are hidden in plain sight and can lead to weight gain.

So, holding back on your next fancy cappuccino order might be good for both your body and your wallet.

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