Drinking more than four cups a day can cause anxiety, heart problems and stress, because caffeine tricks your brain.
Anxiety, irritability, stress and changes in sleep are some consequences of drinking coffee in excess, according to a study by the University of Cambridge.
According to the analysis, people who drink more than four cups a day can have severe problems in the body, because caffeine mimics adenosine , a chemical that numbs the brain.
This chemical decreases as you sleep so that, naturally, you feel more awake in the morning.
However, caffeine binds to the adenosine receptors so it can trick your brain and make it activate and you feel even more tired than usual.
The more coffee you drink you will have to ingest even more to keep your brain active during the day, so as with any other medication you could generate a dependency.
Also, according to the University of Cambridge study, drinking several cups of unfiltered coffee a day can cause long-term heart problems and an increased risk of heart failure.
"Anyone who has drunk too much coffee knows what it feels like: his hands become shaky, he feels nervous and his heart rate increases, " said Kathryn Boling, primary care physician at Mercy Personal Physicians in Lutherville, Maryland.
He explained that while the physical symptoms of anxiety associated with drinking too much caffeine may not cause heart palpitations (even if you feel that way), the long-term effects of a coffee habit may contribute to increased heart risks .
The study also revealed that drinking coffee can change moods. University of Texas biologist Neal J. Smatresk said that when you take a double dose of expresso, your brain orders your adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline, which feels like an energetic acceleration of your body, which is also known as the "fight or flight" response.
"During stressful or emergency conditions, chemical messages raise the rhythm and strength of the heart, thus increasing blood pressure and delivering more oxygen to the brain and other tissues," the American scientist added.
The specialist pointed out that when your body produces so much adrenaline it can cause irritability, stress and aggression, since the "fight or flight" mode gives you less control over your body.
Another consequence of drinking coffee in excess is anxiety, stress and lack of sleep, because caffeine over stimulates your nervous system.
Therefore, specialists recommend eating only two cups of coffee a day.
