March is National Caffeine Awareness Month, and as the name implies, awareness of our caffeine consumption should be on our radars. While there are proven health benefits of caffeine, the Food and Drug Administration recommends we keep our daily consumption of caffeine to 400 milligrams. Yet the rising popularity of energy drinks, which have the highest concentrations of caffeine of any beverage, have adverse health effects from overdrinking, especially among youths. (download full page)
ENERGY DRINK LIFE CYCLE
10 MINUTES: Once you consume an energy drink, the caffeine begins to enter your bloodstream, which increases your heart rate and blood pressure.
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15-45 MINUTES: The caffeine level in your bloodstream reaches its peak causing you to feel more alert and more focused.
30-50 MINUTES: All of the caffeine is absorbed in the body. The high concentration of added sugars in the drink overload the liver, which can lead to liver disease with continued consumption.
1 HOUR: As the effects of the caffeine begin to die down, your body starts to experience a sugar crash, causing you to feel tired as energy levels decrease.
5-6 HOURS: This is the half-life of the caffeine in your body, meaning it is reduced to 50%. However, the half-life for caffeine in children and teenagers is significantly longer – which is why energy drinks can cause anxiety and behavioral problems with children.
12 HOURS: This is the time it takes for an adult to fully remove caffeine from their bloodstream. The speed at which this happens can depend on age, activity and weight of the individual.
12-24 HOURS: For those who consume caffeine or energy drinks on a regular basis, this is the time frame at which the individual can experience withdrawal symptoms, which include headaches, irritability and constipation.
7-12 DAYS: This is the time frame it takes to develop a tolerance to a regular dosage of caffeine. To feel the effects of caffeine, you’ll need to increase your consumption.
