Why does coffee make me jittery when tea/soda/energy drinks don't?

Question

I used to be able to drink one or 2 cups of coffee a day without any problems. A couple of years ago, however, I started getting jittery, sweaty, and nervous when I had coffee. My head would feel funny and my heart would race. I stopped drinking it and avoided caffeinated beverages most of the time. I occasionally drink tea which doesn't bug me, and once I had a heavily caffeinated soda/energy drink and it did nothing.

The funny thing is, I get the same symptoms from decaf. It makes me wonder if it's the coffee itself and not the caffeine. Does anyone know anything about this or how to avoid it? I thought I could enjoy the taste of coffee by drinking decaf, but apparently I can't without the nasty side effects.

Answer 1

TOOOOOOOOO Much Caffeine intake has a lasting effect, switch to decaff for awhile, I've had the same problems and I am only 19, doctor said my sugar levels are normal, but lack of exercise, too much Vita A and E (which to much can kill you) [Also prob your problems] so you may get the same results from decaff, but they will subside if you lessen your dosage

Also, potential chance of Hyperhidrosis

Answer 2

Soda has about 3x more caffiene then soda

As for the decaf problem, you could either be stimulated by other ingredients in the coffee, or you could simply be allergic to coffee

Answer 3

Your side effects are common in people who are sensitive to caffeine but if decaf does this to you as well and energy drinks and things that have lot's of caffeine don't than you could be allergic to coffee.  I'm sensitive to caffeine and I definitely could not drink an energy soda drink!

Answer 4

How much sugar do you put in your coffee. People always think it is the caffeine that makes you jittery but it isn't. It is the sugar. Now caffeine can increase your heart rate but if you are getting this from decaf then it simply is not the result of caffeine.

Here is some basic caffeine levels for average drinks.

Green/White Tea: 30mg

Black/Red Tea: 50mg

Sodas: 30 - 50mg

Energy Drinks: 80 - 84mg

Coffee: Starts at 85mg

Now decaffeinated teas and coffee still have some caffeine in them. It is naturally in the plants so it is difficult to get rid of it all. Sodas and energy drinks that are caffeine free have none as caffeine is added to those in the first place. Nothing in them, except for guarana in some energy drinks, has caffeine as part of the ingredients.