From the FDA Drug Label
Signs and symptoms reported in the literature after caffeine overdose in preterm infants include ... fine tremor of the extremities, hypertonia, opisthotonos, tonic-clonic movements, The combination of 700mg caffeine and 2 teaspoons of salt may cause muscle twitching due to the potential for caffeine overdose, as evidenced by symptoms such as fine tremor of the extremities and tonic-clonic movements reported in the literature 1.
- Key symptoms of caffeine overdose that may be related to muscle twitching include:
- Fine tremor of the extremities
- Hypertonia
- Tonic-clonic movements However, the specific interaction between 700mg caffeine and 2 teaspoons of salt is not directly addressed in the provided drug label.
From the Research
Consuming 700mg of caffeine and 2 teaspoons of salt could potentially cause muscle twitching, as the high amount of caffeine can overstimulate the nervous system and the excessive sodium can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, leading to involuntary muscle contractions. This amount of caffeine significantly exceeds the FDA's recommended daily limit of 400mg for healthy adults and can cause muscle twitches, tremors, and jitteriness, as supported by a study on the effect of caffeine on diaphragmatic muscle force in normal hamsters 2. Additionally, 2 teaspoons of salt contains approximately 4,600mg of sodium, which is double the recommended daily intake, and can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, particularly affecting calcium and potassium levels that are crucial for normal muscle function, as discussed in a study on the effects of low calcium and calcium antagonists on skeletal muscle staircase and fatigue 3. The combination of these substances could potentially amplify these effects, especially in people with sensitivity to caffeine or those with underlying health conditions like hypertension or kidney problems. A recent systematic review on the effect of caffeine ingestion on indirect markers of exercise-induced muscle damage also suggests that caffeine can have varying effects on muscle function and damage, depending on the context and individual factors 4. However, the most relevant study to this question is the one on caffeine-induced potentiation of twitches in frog single muscle fiber, which shows that caffeine can potentiate twitches in muscle fibers 5. Overall, considering the potential risks and effects of high caffeine and sodium intake on muscle function, it is recommended to avoid consuming such high amounts of these substances to minimize the risk of muscle twitching and other adverse effects. Some key points to consider include:
- The amount of caffeine exceeding the recommended daily limit
- The potential for sodium to disrupt electrolyte balance
- The varying effects of caffeine on muscle function and damage
- The potential for amplified effects in individuals with sensitivity or underlying health conditions.