How to tell if you have a caffeine-intolerance – or if you just had too much

Do you get the shakes after drinking coffee, or feel anxious after sipping a fizzy drink? Here’s how to know if you are hyper-sensitive to caffeine.

Depending on your body, caffeine can either be your saviour or your enemy. Some people can’t get out of bed without their morning coffee or struggle to stay alert after lunch without a cup of tea. But while caffeine is a well-accepted (and frankly, delicious) part of normal routines, the energy buzz isn’t well digested by everyone.

While you may be jealous of those who can get through the day without their caffeine fix, those who avoid the stimulant may be doing it not just for the bragging rights, but because they can experience some negative side effects from consuming it. If you’re one of those people who has ever gotten the shakes after coffee or stomach issues after an espresso, it could be down to intolerance or sensitivity. Here’s how your body’s reaction to caffeine can determine if you’ve just one too many cups – or there’s a sign of a bigger problem at hand?

What’s the difference between caffeine sensitivity and caffeine intolerance?

“Caffeine sensitivity and caffeine intolerance can be very closely linked,” explains dietician Catherine Rabess. “The desired effects of caffeine such as alertness and better concentration can become more easily and quickly heightened in those with higher sensitivity, but an intolerance indicates a negative effect, whether it’s a gastro-intolerance or other more marginalised effects on our bodies.”

Symptoms of intolerance can present in those who drink above their tolerable threshold, or in those who have high sensitivity when trying even very small doses of caffeine. While the recommended safe dose for caffeine is up to 400mg of caffeine a day (around four cups of coffee), sensitivity differs from person to person. You may be classed as having a high sensitivity if you experience more severe responses to caffeine at doses lower than 400mg, and a low sensitivity if you can drink up to 400mg without noticing much impact.

“People’s response to caffeine is very individualised,” says Catherine. “That’s usually based on genetic factors, so it’s actually in our DNA, and how our body functions.”

Catherine explains that our liver plays a big role in the metabolisation of foods and drinks – and how fast or slow the body metabolises caffeine will impact how sensitive you are to it. And the same can be seen with how quickly the stimulating effects of caffeine impact your central nervous system. “If you do have a slightly slower metabolism, that could mean that even small amounts of caffeine could cause more of a stimulating effect. Higher doses can then lead to heightened responses to caffeine,” Catherine says.

What are the symptoms of caffeine intolerance or sensitivity?

If you have a caffeine sensitivity or intolerance, you may notice some of the following symptoms after having food or drink that include caffeine.

Insomnia
Anxiety
Restlessness
High blood pressure
Functional gut issues, including IBS related symptoms
Increased heart rate
Shaky hands
Headaches

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