Most people think of having morning coffee as a harmless daily ritual, but it comes with some unexpected side effects. Some of these facts may shock you.

According to Medline Plus, WebMD and the FDA:

1. Caffeine acts as a stimulant. Once consumed, caffeine quickly travels to the brain, and stimulates the body’s nervous system. This causes an energy boost and heightened alertness. Typically, it takes 30 to 45 minutes for caffeine to take effect, but in some people, it can be as little as 10 minutes.
2. Too much caffeine can cause dangerous symptoms. These include headache, dizziness, dehydration, and insomnia. Also, caffeine can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions, like anxiety disorders and sleep disorders. It is also possible to overdose on caffeine, which can cause hallucinations and confusion.
3. It can be addictive. Regular caffeine consumption can cause a mild physical dependence. This dependence can also have withdrawal effects if caffeine is not consumed. These include headache, irritability, and drowsiness.
4. Caffeine can cause a loss of calcium. Regular caffeine consumption interferes with the metabolism of several important nutrients, especially calcium. Over time, it can cause a loss of bone density, and osteoporosis.
5. You can develop a tolerance to caffeine. This means that the more you consume caffeine regularly, the more you need to feel the effects. This is why over time people need that third and fourth cup of coffee– their bodies no longer are stimulated by a minimal amount of caffeine.
6. Powdered caffeine is dangerous! The FDA warns that ” These products are essentially 100 percent caffeine. A single teaspoon of pure caffeine is roughly equivalent to the amount in 25 cups of coffee.” It is very easy to overdose on powdered caffeine, which as stated can cause hallucinations. Sometimes, it causes the heart to become overworked, and leads to death.