Are caffeine pills safer than coffee? Are they better than fresh coffee? Let’s find out in this post.
Caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. It’s the favorite pick-me-up for an early morning routine or late afternoon work session. People also drink it to boost their energy before hitting the gym.
When you talk about caffeine, you’ll immediately think about coffee. But coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine.
If you don’t like the taste of coffee but want to have an energy boost that caffeine can offer, then consider taking caffeine pills.
Are Caffeine Pills Safer Than Coffee?
Popping a caffeine pill is more convenient than finding the nearest coffee shop and waiting in line just to get a cup of Java.
Caffeine pills are more accessible. They are also cheap. That’s why it’s easy to see college students relying on them to help them with morning fatigue and afternoon slump.
These pills can also assist them in pulling the all-nighters.
But the real question is that are they safer than coffee?
Read: Can You Use Organic Coffee for Enema?
It depends on your situation.
If drinking coffee irritates your digestive tract and triggers your heartburn, then caffeine pills might be a better, safer option.
Read: Making Herbal Tea Less Acidic
The pills will hit you faster because they’re in the form of a supplement. However, the crash will also hit you harder because it contains a high dose of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee.
In this situation, coffee is safer, as long as you don’t drink too much of it.
Furthermore, coffee has other beneficial compounds that you can’t find in a caffeine pill.
Too Much Caffeine
Whether you choose to take caffeine pills or drink coffee, too much caffeine is still bad enough for your body.
It upsets your stomach and causes your heart to race. It can also cause insomnia.
These side effects will depend on your sensitivity to caffeine.
In that case, you need to know how sensitive you are to this substance.
For an average, healthy adult, you can take up to 400 mg of caffeine per day. According to the FDA, it’s a safe amount.
Just like any substance, caffeine can be toxic. Seizures can happen if you drink 1,200 mg of caffeine. It’s especially true if you combine it with other stimulants.
Caffeine Pills and Coffee
They are both safe as long as you consume them in small doses. That’s why it’s important to know how much caffeine can you take in a day.
Some people can take more than 1,200 mg a day and they still won’t feel the side effects.
Others, however, will feel the negative effects of just drinking a cup of coffee.
The most immediate effect of caffeine is the energy crash that can occur after 4 hours of consumption.
Caffeine can cause a temporary energy surge. But after the body has metabolized it, your energy level will quickly dip leading to fatigue and tiredness.
Tolerance
Even if you choose to take caffeine pills over coffee, you may still become dependent on coffee. That is if it becomes a habit of yours to take a pill every morning, it will be difficult for you to cut back your intake.
As you take more caffeine pills, your body starts to build up a tolerance. In that case, the energy boost effect will slowly decrease when you regularly consume the pills.
When you develop tolerance, the stimulatory effects will reduce.
You may cut back on caffeine consumption to reset your tolerance. However, you may find it difficult to function without drinking a cup of coffee a day.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you don’t take caffeine pills or coffee after 9 days, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. They can last up to 12 hours after your last intake of caffeine pills or a cup of coffee.
The following are common caffeine withdrawal symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Poor concentration levels
Conclusion
Are caffeine pills safer than coffee? They are both safe as long as you consume them in moderation. The pills are safer if you experience gastric discomfort after drinking a cup of coffee.
However, you need to choose the right caffeine pills. Keep in mind that caffeine pills are not created equal. Some of them contain fillers.
To know more about caffeine pills, you may find out if they are also good for working out.
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