Around 80 percent of the United States population consumes caffeine regularly, according to data from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some headache medications. 

The National Center for Biotechnology Information says caffeine is the most widely consumed nervous system stimulant. Caffeine is considered a psychoactive drug. That means it alters the mind. Caffeine can change the way people think and feel. Healthline says the stimulating effects of caffeine contribute to its popularity. Caffeine will cause immediate alertness and temporarily relieve fatigue. Caffeine also may help enhance mood, and Healthline reports that one study found caffeine was linked to a 45 percent reduced risk of suicide in participants.

Moderate amounts of caffeine may help increase focus and attention, according to the mental health and substance abuse resource Here to Help. It also may help boost endurance while playing sports or engaging in other physical activities.

“Caffeine is not bad for most people, in moderation,” says Lori Johnson, M.Ed. OTR/L, CHHP of Root of Wellness, LLC in Clearwater.  

“If people are not sensitive to caffeine, I recommend drinking a good quality coffee or tea, and to keep it as basic as possible, not full of sugar, creamers, etc,” she continues.  “If they are sensitive to caffeine, I recommend that they avoid it all together, or to drink a milder form of it, like green tea.” 

Generally speaking, when caffeine is used in low to moderate amounts, it could prove beneficial. It’s when too much caffeine is consumed that people can get in trouble. 

And then there’s the high-energy drinks, like Red Bull, Monster and Bang. Some people drink a couple every day, some when they need an extra kick. But there are risks.

“I believe everyone should avoid all ‘energy drinks’ as they are pretty toxic, full of chemicals and are such a concentrated form of caffeine that they are hard on the heart,” says Johnson.

The following are some of the detrimental effects of caffeine.

• Confusion and overstimulation can occur.

• Headaches can happen from too much caffeine or from withdrawal.

• Irritability also may be a symptom of withdrawal when the body becomes accustomed to caffeine.

• Caffeine may help keep a person regular, but too much can do the opposite and lead to diarrhea.

• Excessive caffeine can prevent calcium absorption in the bones, which may increase risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures.

• Some women who consume too much caffeine may have trouble conceiving a baby, and if caffeine is consumed in high amounts during pregnancy, there’s a risk of developmental issues in newborns or possibly miscarriage.

• Increased blood pressure also may result from consuming caffeine in high amounts.

“One concern with energy drinks is their increased level of caffeine,” says Paul Meirick.  a Sports Medicine Physician at St. Cloud Orthopedics. “Monster sixteen-ounce energy drinks contain 140-160 mg of caffeine and though healthy, non-pregnant adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, children are a different story.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends against the use of caffeine for children under 12 years and recommends limiting caffeine to 100 mg for children 12-18 years of age.”  

Meirick says that means children and teens should not be consuming energy drinks.  

“The reason for the AAP’s concern is that in addition to the aforementioned problems with caffeine (anxiety, restlessness, facial flushing, tremors, elevated heart rate, gastrointestinal upset), caffeine is also known to cause sleep disturbance which can be detrimental to child and teenage development.”  

He says inadequate sleep can lead to poor performance in school, emotional conflicts, and even automobile accidents and injuries.  

“If medical concerns and poor sleep are not reason enough, I should also note that energy drinks often contain high levels of sugar which contribute to chronic health conditions including Type 2 diabetes and obesity,” Meirick says.

Caffeine can have many effects on the body. It’s important to understand both the positive and negative impact of caffeine on the body and brain.