Caffeine is a mild stimulant, which makes you feel more alert and awake. In higher doses it may make you feel jittery and prevent you sleeping. At times, it can be addictive. Try to follow these simple steps:
- Reduce slowly. Stopping abruptly may produce withdrawal symptoms.
- Gradually reduce over a few weeks .
- Cut down by one cup every 3-4 days; replace with decaffeinated or caffeine free drinks or water.
- Avoid caffeine in other foods/drinks, e.g. chocolate.
- Drink instant coffee or instant or brewed decaffeinated coffee. A cup of regular instant coffee generally contains less caffeine than a cup of regular brewed coffee.
- Drink a mixture of half regular and half decaffeinated coffee.
- Drink decaffeinated tea or caffeine-free herbal tea.
- Brew tea for less time. A one-minute brewing, versus three-minute brewing, can cut caffeine in half.
- Read soft drink labels carefully. Approximately 75% of soft drinks consumed in the United States have added caffeine. Choose decaffeinated drinks.
- Read medication labels carefully. Remember that one dose of an over-the-counter pain relief capsule can contain the amount of caffeine in one or two cups of coffee.
answered by r k