"Caffeine Intoxication"?????

Last weekend my most favorite uncle told me he takes No Doz when he drives to their vacation home in Florida and asked me what I thought about it? My first reaction was "Omigosh, you can't take that!! You've had a heart attack-that stuff will kill you and I want you to live forever!"

Then, when I thought about it, I realized I didn't have any real facts to back up my opinion! When I was in college I used to chew that awful tasting No Doz gum but I was young and didn't care what was in it as long as it kept me awake :)

So.....I researched it. (Google is my friend-love it!!)

What I discovered is that, as far as I can tell, a little caffeine never killed anybody! Yea! I was surprised to find out that one capsule of No Doz is about the equivalent of a cup of coffee-200 mg. (note: the instructions on the box suggest taking 2!) And personally, I think I'd rather have a Starbucks. (Did you know that a Starbucks Grande Coffee has 330 mg of caffeine?) FYI-the FDA considers 200-300mg to be "moderate intake" of caffeine and is "generally recognized as safe." Do you know how much you consume each day??

But...there is some truth that too much of good thing is, well, not a good thing :) We all know that too much caffeine can cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and rapid heart beat, and is considered a diuretic. Did you know that a person can be "caffeine intoxicated" :) I found this on WebMD and it cracked me up:

"The DSM-IV lists caffeine intoxication as a clinical syndrome. Caffeine intoxication is described by the following: recent consumption of caffeine and five or more symptoms that develop during, or shortly after, caffeine use including restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, and gastrointestinal complaints."

Be aware of other sources of caffeine, or the herbal alternative, guarana extract, and include these in your total caffeinated count. Look at your chocolate, coffee flavored ice creams, colas, energy drinks, medications.

Check out these totals:
1 Five Hour Energy Drink has 138 mg caffeine
1 can Coca-Cola 35 mg
1.5 oz Espresso 77 mg
1 Full Throttle Energy Drink 144 mg
1 can Mountain Dew 54 mg
1 bottle Nestea Peach Green Tea 45 mg
McDonald's large coffee 145 mg
1 Red Bull 80 mg
Starbucks Short Coffee 180 mg
8 oz brewed iced tea 45 mg
1 capsule Exedrin 65 mg
1 cup Hot Chocoate 10 mg
3. 5 oz chocolate bar 12 mg

After all this talk about caffeine, maybe I'll add a little water to my morning Cup of Joe!