Whether you’re a coffee or tea drinker, it’s hard to argue with the apparent magic of the caffeine within the drink. It’s a welcoming hot sip first thing in the morning and, more likely than not, it’s the reason that we get out of bed on those cold dark mornings. Did you know that it was possible to be intolerant to caffeine? Caffeine sensitivity is more common than a lot of people think, but it is often tossed to the side as an excuse for another cup of tea or coffee.
Symptoms of caffeine sensitivity
You might be surprised by how many of these symptoms you have. One of the biggest things about caffeine sensitivity is that it often is mistaken for withdrawal, and the “solution” is simply to pour another cup of your favourite drink. Take a look at some of the top symptoms:
- Headache or migraine: If you get a bad headache or even trigger a migraine when you have a small cup of coffee, it’s a sign that something else is going on. The headache could be a blinding one or a dull ache.
- Insomnia: If you are struggling to either get or stay asleep, this is another sign that coffee is not working well with your system. Having coffee before bed isn’t a good idea anyway, but if you are struggling with insomnia long-term because you’re enjoying a caffeinated dessert or snack in the afternoon or early evening, this could be an issue.
- Jitters: Being jittery — mentally and/or physically — is another symptom that your body is reacting poorly to its intake of caffeine. The jitters could be subtle and simply annoying, or they could be long-term and frustrating when it comes to focusing on the task at hand.
Keep in mind
No one’s body is immune to the side effects of caffeine. Everyone will get an adverse reaction if they exceed the general area of 400 mg of caffeine throughout the course of the day. Hypersensitivity is when someone is experiencing these side effects even if they have just the tiniest bit of caffeine.
When you are experiencing these symptoms — whether they’re from one cup or ten — it’s important to listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you. Despite what the movies imply, ignoring your body’s symptoms and chugging another cup is not the best call of action!
What now?
In order to protect yourself and to know for sure, it’s a great idea to consider getting a food sensitivity test done. This can help you determine that you are, in fact, sensitive to caffeine and not something else that you are taking it. Peace of mind is worth a lot, especially when it comes to meal and beverage planning!
Caffeine sensitivity can be a bummer when you’re looking at saying goodbye to your favourite morning beverages, but the reality could just be in switching to a decaf version or simply limiting the amount that you drink (assuming your symptoms are not too severe).
