Hyderabad: Coffee! That’s what many celebs the world over depend on to keep them going. Bollywood A-listers like Shahrukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor are self-confessed coffee addicts. And so are many Hollywood biggies.
SRK, who has spoken often about his love of coffee, says, “ I drink only espresso. It’s convenient, fast and idiot-proof.” The latest entrant to the coffee club is American singer Britney Spears, who has come out with a lengthy Instagram post about her caffeine addiction amidst reports that she consumes the drinks by the gallon!
HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS TOO MUCH?
Caffeine abuse can lead to dependence. The big bold message that needs to be conveyed, according to Dr G V Rao, Director & Chief of Gastrointestinal & Minimally Invasive Surgery, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, is that there is scientific evidence that having 2 cups of coffee per day protects against progression of almost all forms of liver disease.
“Thus, it is safe to say that coffee is beneficial; however, let us consider the negative effects that it may have when overused – as with any addictive substance, coffee abuse can lead to dependence, which can lead to physical, psychological, and social consequences,” he says. The withdrawal symptoms associated with coffee/caffeine addiction, which include fatigue, headache, nausea, and anxiety, are critical.
“What is required is increased public awareness of safe caffeinated product dosage, stringent age restrictions on who can purchase and consume caffeine, and, finally, making it mandatory for manufacturers of caffeinated beverages to disclose the caffeine content of their products to prove they are within safe limits,” says Dr Rao.
“It is critical to be aware of the recommended dosage as well as the potential risks associated with caffeine consumption. For healthy adults, experts generally recommend no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. Caffeine overdose can cause a variety of side effects, including increased heart rate, restlessness, anxiety, digestive issues, sleep disturbance, and even caffeine dependency. Further, high caffeine doses may have negative effects on cardiovascular health and can cause dehydration,” says certified Pilates instructor Zaineb Ali.
