If you think that caffeine is only found in coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks, you may be surprised to learn that it may also be found in certain over-the-counter medicine, pre-workout or weight loss supplements, gum, waffles, syrup, ice cream, candy, and other snack food. While many people mistakenly think of caffeine as a food, it is a stimulant drug that increases activity in the brain and central nervous system and can be harmful if you get too much. Because caffeine is in many beverages, supplements and even food, it’s easy to go over the safe limit without realizing it.
How much is too much?
Not all food and drink labels include the amount of caffeine in the product, so it is difficult for people to know exactly how much of the drug they are getting. And energy drinks often contain caffeine from multiple sources such as green tea extract, yerba mate, and guarana. Some single can energy drinks reach 350 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, making overdose a concern, especially for children and teens. When used by adults in moderate amounts, about 200 - 400 mg daily, caffeine is usually not harmful.1 Though the amount of caffeine in products can vary greatly, below is a list of the typical milligrams found in common drinks:
- 8-ounce cup of coffee: 95-200 mg
- 12-ounce can of cola: 34-45 mg
- 8-ounce cup of tea: 14-60 mg
- 8-ounce energy drink: 70-100 mg
What about caffeine use in kids and teens?
Sadly, drinks and snacks with caffeine in them are often marketed to children and teens despite the advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics that caffeine use is not recommended for these age groups.2 Energy drinks are readily available in stores so getting them isn’t a problem regardless of age. In recent years, poison centers across the US have seen a 24% increase in calls for children and teens who have unintentionally gotten too much caffeine from energy drinks. Teens and young adults may use energy drinks or other caffeinated products such as energy shots to stay awake and alert, or to give them more energy while competing in sports or exercising.
What are the symptoms of getting too much caffeine?
Too much caffeine can lead to unwanted symptoms such as upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, high blood pre sure, tremors, headache, trouble sleeping, and dehydration. Pure powdered caffeine can be especially harmful. Just a teaspoon is equivalent to about 25 cups of coffee. The FDA posted a statement warning people not to use this product. In severe caffeine overdose, symptoms can include seizures, your heart beating in a fast, uneven, and dangerous way, and even death.3
How to prevent caffeine overdose
To prevent unwanted side effects from caffeine and help protect kids and teens from harm, follow these tips:
- Be aware of how much caffeine you are taking in from all sources including beverages, food, and dietary supplements
- Be aware of all sources of caffeine in your child’s diet, and talk to them about the dangers of getting too much caffeine
- Keep energy drinks secured away from kids and teens
- Encourage kids, teens and young adults to live a healthy lifestyle by getting plenty of sleep, keeping hydrated with water, milk, or other healthy drinks, and to eat a well-balanced diet for energy
- Teach children and teens to read labels and look for caffeine content in drinks, food, and supplements
If you think someone has gotten too much caffeine and is having symptoms of overdose, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the person is having severe overdose symptoms such as seizures call 911 right away.
Resources
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is too Much? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 8/18/2025 https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
- Marcie Beth Schneider, MD; Holly J. Benjamin, MD; Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate? Committee on Nutrition and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Pediatrics (2011) 127 (6): 1182–1189. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0965
- Pure and highly concentrated caffeine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 8/18/2025. https://www.fda.gov/food/information-select-dietary-supplement-ingredients-and-other-substances/pure-and-highly-concentrated-caffeine