Caffeine is found in many beverages consumed by young American adults including energy drinks, coffee, and soft drinks.
It is not uncommon to find people who do not go a day without it. Recently, however, the FDA has warned consumers about the recent increased availability of powdered pure caffeine that is being marketed directly to consumers. Caffeine powder is being sold in bulk over the Internet and used by teens to boost workouts, increase energy, and encourage weight loss. Since caffeine is regularly consumed and available in many other products, there are misconceptions surrounding the safety of using powdered caffeine. In powder form, caffeine is a powerful stimulant that has already been implicated in more than two dozen recent illnesses and one death this year.
Powdered caffeine is much more concentrated than what is found in many caffeinated beverages. One serving of caffeine powder is approximately a sixteenth of a teaspoon, which is nearly impossible for most people to accurately measure on their own. One teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equal to the amount of caffeine found in about 25 cups of coffee, making it incredibly dangerous. High dosages of caffeine can produce dangerous side effects and lead to accidental overdose. Side effects of high caffeine consumption include nausea, anxiety, sweating, insomnia, vomiting, dizziness, heart palpitations and cardiac arrest. Ingesting large amounts of caffeine at once is even more dangerous as it does not allow the body time to react. Rather than experiencing a gradual onset of less severe symptoms, one may instead immediately suffer more dangerous symptoms such as tachycardia or cardiac arrest. Caffeine’s more common side effects are experienced for at least four hours with symptoms lasting longer in cases of higher sensitivity to caffeine or extremely large doses.
The FDA is currently collecting information and considering regulatory action, but advises consumers to avoid using pure powdered caffeine in the meantime because of its toxicity levels. The perceived benefit of using powdered caffeine has led to related emergency room visits doubling within the last four years. Approximately 42% of these incidents occurred when the caffeine was combined with alcohol or other drugs. This dramatic increase has led to many poison control centers calling for restrictions surrounding the use of powdered caffeine.
Although caffeine is legal, it is addictive and potentially dangerous. Abruptly ending regular consumption of caffeine can lead to withdrawal symptoms including headaches, fatigue, and irritability. Most symptoms are mild and resolve within a few days. Every individual experiences different levels of tolerance to the effects of caffeine. For most adults, up to 400mg a day appears to be safe. It is recommended that adolescents should consume no more than 100mg of caffeine a day, while children should have no caffeine at all. Some individuals may be more susceptible to the effects of caffeine, and those who do not regularly consume it may be more sensitive to side effects of use.