Caffeine and Throat Tightness

In some people, caffeine can cause throat symptoms due to an allergic reaction. This type of allergy is extremely rare, though.

According to an older case report, people who are allergic to caffeine may get an itchy throat and hives shortly after ingesting caffeine. The symptoms can progress to a dangerous reaction called anaphylaxis, which causes swelling of your throat or tongue and trouble breathing.

When taking in caffeine causes anaphylaxis, this could be a serious and life-threatening matter. But very few cases of it exist in medical literature. Have a healthcare professional do a skin-prick test after an allergic reaction to find out whether the caffeine or another ingredient is to blame.

If you suspect a caffeine allergy (despite how rare it is), avoid having caffeinated drinks and foods until you see a healthcare professional. Symptoms of a caffeine allergy are different from the side effects of ingesting too much caffeine, which may cause jitteriness or headaches but not breathing problems.

In very rare instances, drinking coffee can also cause throat tightness from underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

According to Cleveland Clinic, drinking or eating large amounts of certain items — such as coffee, chocolate, or citrus foods — may relax a ring-shaped muscle at the bottom of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter. As a result, stomach contents may move back up your esophagus and, rarely, all the way to your throat, causing symptoms.

Other symptoms of GERD include:

• Persistent heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Chest pain

Ingesting caffeine can trigger GERD symptoms for some people, according to Harvard Health Publishing. For those who have caffeine as a GERD trigger, ingesting it can give the sensation of throat tightness and trouble swallowing. It also can give the feeling that you have food stuck in your throat, or even the sensation of choking in some people.

If you suspect a gastrointestinal issue such as GERD, see a doctor to get the right treatment. You can also try to avoid having certain foods and beverages — such as coffee, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and alcohol — to see if your symptoms improve, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

Then, you can start having these items again one by one to see if they trigger symptoms. This can help you identify and limit your intake of GERD trigger foods in the future. Also, try not to lie down for about two hours after you drink caffeinated beverages. That also may help prevent reflux, according to NYU Langone Health.

Unless caffeine is causing consistent throat or GI symptoms, you can enjoy it in moderate amounts without any serious side effects. According to Mayo Clinic, healthy adults can have up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day. That's about four cups of home-brewed coffee.

Since caffeine is a natural stimulant, it has some helpful effects, such as increased alertness, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Plus, it may improve liver health, protect against dementia, and boost athletic endurance.

If you ingest too much caffeine, though you may get side effects. Some common ones are:

• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• An upset stomach

It's best to stick to having caffeinated beverages and foods rich in antioxidants, such as coffee, green tea, and dark chocolate. Those are healthier options than an energy drink, which provides about 144 mg of caffeine in a 16–fluid ounce (fl oz) can, and regular cola, which has about 44 mg in a 16–fl oz cup, according to FoodData Central.

If you're watching your caffeine intake, be aware that an 8–fl oz cup of green tea has about 28 mg of caffeine compared with about 94 mg in an 8–fl oz cup of regular coffee, according to FoodData Central.