We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Connection Between Caffeine and Nausea?

By Bethany Keene
Updated: Feb 21, 2024
Views: 32,244
Share

Caffeine and nausea are associated in two ways. First, consuming too much caffeine in a short time period can cause nausea. Conversely, caffeine withdrawal can also cause nausea; for instance, if one drinks coffee every day and then suddenly stops for a day or two, nausea is a common occurrence. Moderate amounts of caffeine should, in general, not cause nausea.

Nausea and caffeine are most often connected when one consumes too much caffeine in too brief a time. For instance, many people drink coffee in the morning, then might get to work and have more coffee or even a caffeinated soda, followed by another soda or iced tea a few hours later for lunch, and then an energy drink in the afternoon. It is no surprise, then, that this overload of caffeine on the system leads to nausea. This much caffeine can also lead to anxiety, jitters, headaches, lightheadedness, and other unpleasant symptoms.

It is important to monitor caffeine intake to avoid this connection between caffeine and nausea. Drinking too much caffeine throughout the day can also make it difficult to sleep at night, which can perpetuate the cycle even further. Try to get energy from other sources, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. If fatigue is persistent despite getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising, it may be necessary to visit the doctor to rule out any medical issues.

Caffeine withdrawal is the other primary connection between caffeine and nausea. Even consuming one cup of coffee or tea a day can lead to withdrawal symptoms if it is suddenly stopped; these symptoms usually include nausea and headache. Usually, the symptoms only last for one to two days, but they can last for as much as a week. Some people find that they become somewhat dependent on caffeine in order to avoid the unpleasant headache and nausea symptoms.

Other connections between caffeine and nausea are less direct. Because caffeine causes some people to become anxious or jittery, this can lead to nausea as well, even with just a small amount of caffeine. Caffeine may also raise the blood pressure, which may not only cause one to feel nauseous, but can also be dangerous for those with high blood pressure or heart disease. In general, people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, or who are being treated for high blood pressure should avoid caffeine as much as possible; pregnant women are also advised to avoid caffeine.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By TrogJoe19 — On Feb 10, 2011

An anxiety symptom that is brought on by caffeine is shaking. Sometimes you may feel nervous and weak because of too much caffeine. Rather than increasing productive energy, this causes your energy to be spent in nervous thought and trembling. This is not much fun, and can be avoided by better habits and less coffee.

By Armas1313 — On Feb 08, 2011

Caffeine is being shown to be a bad addiction, because over time, a consistent coffee drinker needs more and more of it to function normally. Some people are wisely choosing to switch to dietary supplements such as ginseng, which have similar effects, but in a different part of the body. They don't cause chemical imbalances, but enable the body to process things faster. These readily available solutions are more helpful than caffeine, and will not stain your teeth.

Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-the-connection-between-caffeine-and-nausea.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.