Diet - caffeine

Caffeine can lead to:

• A fast heart rate
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Urinating more often
• Vomiting

Stopping caffeine abruptly may cause withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Reduce caffeine gradually to prevent any symptoms of withdrawal.

The effect of caffeine on health has been widely studied.

• Large amounts of caffeine may decrease bone mass density, most likely by interfering with the body's ability to absorb calcium. This may lead to osteoporosis.
• Caffeine may cause or worsen painful, lumpy breasts (fibrocystic disease).

Caffeine may have a negative effect on a child's nutrition if caffeinated drinks replace healthy drinks, such as milk. A child who consumes caffeine may also eat less, because caffeine reduces the appetite.

Review Date: 05/05/2011
Reviewed By: Alison Evert, MS, RD, CDE, Nutritionist, University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)