Wrongful death suits filed in recent years have highlighted the dangers of even nonalcoholic caffeinated drinks. At the top of the caffeine content list, 5-hour Energy Extra Strength has 242 mg in only 2 oz., according to a Consumer Reports investigation however, the caffeine content is not disclosed on the product. Energy drinks or “shots,” such as Red Bull and Monster, have about 80 to 90 mg of caffeine in 8 oz. Coke Classic has 23 mg in a 12 oz drink, while the same amount of Jolt Cola has 100 mg, according to the FDA. In 2010, caffeinated drinks containing alcohol had to be taken off the market because of the health risks.Ĭoffee and tea are the old standbys when it comes to caffeinated beverages, containing 40 milligrams (mg) to 150 mg per 5-ounce (oz) serving. Well before the FDA became concerned about caffeine powders, there were problems with highly caffeinated drinks. "Considering I just bought a pill-bottle sized container of pure caffeine containing 100 grams, it would not be difficult for someone to become toxic and potentially die from ingesting pure caffeine." "Death has occurred after ingestion of 6.5 grams in an adult," Dr. Holstege, MD, chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. The amount of pure, powdered caffeine that would be toxic for an adult varies depending on the person's health, age, and size, notes Christopher P. With symptoms like tachycardia - a faster heart rate - each heartbeat also comes with increased force. “Caffeine also blocks a key enzyme in heart cells that modulates the effect of adrenaline on the heart,” explains Abraham. Abraham.Ĭaffeine does this by causing the body to release a burst of adrenaline. “When extreme, this can turn into an abnormal and sometimes life-threatening heart arrhythmia that essentially ‘stops’ the heart,” adds Dr. Abraham, MD, Everyday Health columnist and the director of the division of cardiovascular medicine at the Ohio State University in Columbus. “Patients with caffeine overdose - I have seen more than a few - often complain of their hearts racing or pounding in their chests,” says William T. Heart-Stopping Effects of Powdered Caffeine But the price can be high for your heart. But the allure of a legal, cheap stimulant may be particularly attractive to young people, with the promise of boosting athletic performance and improving mood. It's true that makers of powdered caffeine products often note the danger of abuse and caution customers not to inhale the powder. As one manufacturer touts it, caffeine is the “oldest and best known stimulant in the world." You can buy it for $15 per pound from a number of online companies. This form of caffeine is legal and easy to buy in bulk. Unfortunately, the FDA warning about toxic caffeine overdoses may get lost among online marketing pitches for powdered caffeine. Food and Drug Administration: Consumers should avoid using pure powdered caffeine products for any reason because they can be dangerous, even deadly.Īfter Stiner's death, the FDA said in an email that they are "awaiting a final report from the coroner to confirm the amount of caffeine found in the bloodstream," and that they may take further action to protect consumers. His overdose death from such a commonly used product as caffeine prompted a warning from the U.S. Logan Stiner, an 18-year-old star high school wrestler in LaGrange, Ohio, died from a caffeine powder overdose in May 2014, according to the local medical examiner, as reported by the Elyria Chronicle Telegram. The easy availability and popularity of a powdered caffeine product is raising new concerns that the stimulant may be life-threatening.
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