By Sarah Turske, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist 
On behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

Sabrina Carpenter is a new superstar in the music industry. She released a top 10 hit in over 20 countries in 2024 called Espresso. She performed on Saturday Night Live when she was the musical guest on May 18, 2024.

Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage where hot water is forced over the finely ground coffee via pressure. One ounce of espresso has about 63mg of caffeine.

Caffeine is quickly becoming the go-to boost for many, especially among younger people looking for an extra burst of energy throughout the day. A daily dose of up to 400 mg can help you feel more mentally sharp and physically energized. It is important to understand that 400mg of caffeine at one time can be dangerous to your health. 

Caffeine is packed into everyday favorites like coffee, dark chocolate, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks, making it easy to enjoy and an essential part of many routines. Whether you want to stay refreshed or focused, caffeine is a quick and accessible way to power through your day.

While caffeine can provide a much-needed boost, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that consuming over 1,200 mg in a short period can lead to serious health risks, including heart attacks, seizures and even death. Unfortunately, caffeine-related emergency department visits have surged across the United States. A recent review done by Epic Research showed a dramatic increase in caffeine overdoses and side effects. 

Between 2017 and 2023, the rate of visits for caffeine-related issues more than doubled for children ages 11 to 14, reaching 6.6 per 100,000 ER visits, while high school-aged children saw a similar rise to 13.7 per 100,000 visits. It was found that males were more likely to visit the emergency room than females due to caffeine. The excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to dangerous side effects, such as abnormal heartbeats, anxiety and increased blood pressure. 

Relying on caffeine throughout the day can make you used to its effects. Over time, if you decide to lower your caffeine intake, you may experience unwanted symptoms, including tiredness, crankiness, headaches that will not go away, sweating, muscle aching and anxiety. These symptoms may begin within 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine and can last for days. 

The easiest way to prevent these symptoms is to manage how much caffeine you have daily. By carefully reading the labels on your products, you can monitor your total caffeine intake, as different items contain varying amounts of caffeine. Staying aware of these differences is crucial to ensure you are not exceeding the recommended 400 mg daily.

Consuming caffeine throughout the day may be helpful for some, but consuming caffeine in large amounts on a regular basis can be hard on your body. If you are finding yourself dependent on caffeine or curious about how much is in your everyday foods and drinks, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider to explore options that might be right for you.

Espresso and caffeine can give you a boost in energy, but use it safely on a daily basis.

ONU Healthwise offers flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines at clinics Monday-Friday from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. Please call 419-772-3784 for more information.