THE aromatic smell of freshly brewed coffee can really drive you to take one. You may love its feel-good effect but overdoing it can do you  harm.

Studies have found that some caffeine can improve mental acuity and performance throughout the day, but too much caffeine can negatively impact your mood, energy, and even health.

A latte at the nearby coffee shop may have some health benefits, but as you find it delicious, don’t be tempted to get another mug or two. Some research has linked high doses of coffee to infertility and increased risk of hip fractures in older women. On the other hand, if you stop drinking coffee abruptly, you may experience irritability, fatigue, headaches, and even depression.

Here are some common warning signs that you may have overdosed:


* Afternoon slump. If you can’t get through the day without a coffee, you may be hooked on the caffeine. Having a few cups a day could leave you feeling high, and then  your energy will dip soon. Besides triggering major dips in energy, the acidity in some types of coffee can damage tooth enamel if sipped daily. Limit your intake to avoid the afternoon slump.

* Can cause dark urine. Urine that is dark yellow or orange is a telltale sign of dehydration. Coffee is actually a diuretic that can lead to dehydration by increasing the amount you urinate so you lose too much body fluid. Caffeine usually doesn’t trigger dehydration until after you’ve had about 500 mg, so you should be safe if you stick to a cup or two of coffee a day.

* Anxious feeling. You may experience sweaty palms, a racing heart, restlessness, and feeling jittery are all clues that you’ve overdosed on caffeine. Caffeine can exacerbate stress and depression because it interferes with a tranquilizing neurotransmitter chemical in the brain called adenosine. It also act as a stimulant that triggers the adrenal gland to excrete more stress hormones like adrenaline, which can increase heart rate, making you feel more anxious.

* Hard time to sleep. Caffeine takes about 45 minutes to one hour to get absorbed and it lingers in the body for several hours thus affecting your sleep cycle. If you take coffee at night, you’ll be having trouble getting a good night sleep. The same apply to tea like green tea because it also contains caffeine. Also keep in mind that decaf coffee and decaf tea is not caffeine-free - both have about one-third less the amount of a regular one.

* You have heartburn. Caffeine can cause acid reflux, food and stomach acid comes back up, causing a burning feeling under your chest.