Researchers in Brazil studied 181 competitive video game players to understand how much caffeine they drink and why. They found that players consume a moderate amount of caffeine daily, mostly from coffee and energy drinks. Interestingly, about three-quarters of players reported experiencing side effects like trouble sleeping, racing heartbeat, and stomach pain—even though higher caffeine amounts didn’t always cause worse symptoms. The study suggests that esports players need better guidance on when and how to use caffeine safely to boost performance without harming their sleep and health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much caffeine Brazilian esports (competitive video game) players consume, why they drink it, and what side effects they experience
  • Who participated: 181 Brazilian esports players of different skill levels, from casual amateurs to professional competitors
  • Key finding: Players drank an average of 280 milligrams of caffeine daily (about 3 cups of coffee), mostly from coffee. About 76% experienced side effects like insomnia and stomach problems, but surprisingly, drinking more caffeine didn’t always cause worse symptoms.
  • What it means for you: If you play esports competitively, be aware that caffeine can help you focus but may hurt your sleep quality. The timing of when you drink caffeine matters more than just the total amount. Consider talking to a coach or doctor about safe caffeine use for your gaming schedule.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of 181 Brazilian esports players and asked them detailed questions about their caffeine habits. The players filled out a 64-question survey that covered their age, skill level, how many hours they played games, and everything they drank that contained caffeine—including coffee, energy drinks, tea, and soda.

The researchers then compared different groups: amateur players versus professional players, players who used caffeine to boost performance versus those who didn’t, and players who drank small amounts of caffeine versus those who drank large amounts. They looked for patterns and connections between caffeine intake and side effects like sleep problems, racing heartbeat, and stomach pain.

This type of study is useful for describing what’s happening in a group of people right now, but it can’t prove that caffeine directly causes the problems players experience—only that they happen together.

Understanding real-world caffeine use in esports is important because these players often practice for many hours and may turn to caffeine to stay alert and focused. Unlike traditional sports where caffeine use is well-studied, esports is newer and less understood. This research helps fill that gap by showing what actually happens when competitive gamers use caffeine, which can inform better safety guidelines.

The study included a reasonable number of participants (181) and used a detailed questionnaire to capture caffeine from all sources, which is thorough. However, because it’s a snapshot study rather than a long-term follow-up, we can’t be completely certain about cause-and-effect. The study also relied on players remembering and honestly reporting their caffeine intake, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The findings are specific to Brazilian esports players, so results might differ in other countries.

What the Results Show

Brazilian esports players consumed a median of 168 milligrams of caffeine per day, with an average of 280 milligrams—roughly equivalent to 2-3 cups of coffee. Coffee was by far the main source, providing about 72% of their total caffeine intake. Energy drinks were consumed by more than half the players (55.8%) but contributed only 14% of their total caffeine.

About one-quarter of players (25.7%) exceeded the 400-milligram daily limit that health experts generally recommend. Surprisingly, caffeine intake didn’t differ much between amateur players and professional players, suggesting that competitive level doesn’t drive higher caffeine use. The amount of caffeine players consumed also didn’t correlate with how many hours they played games per day.

Side effects were very common: 76.5% of players reported at least one adverse effect from caffeine. The most frequent problems were insomnia (trouble sleeping) at 45.2%, stomach pain at 45.5%, racing heartbeat (tachycardia) at 29.1%, and tremors (shaking) at 23.7%. Notably, players who wanted to boost their performance consumed significantly more caffeine (about 89 milligrams more per day) than those with other motivations.

An interesting and somewhat unexpected finding was that higher caffeine amounts didn’t consistently lead to worse side effects. When researchers compared players drinking more than 300 milligrams daily to those drinking 300 milligrams or less, the difference in adverse effects was small and not statistically significant. This suggests that individual sensitivity to caffeine varies greatly—some players may tolerate high amounts while others experience problems at lower doses. The study also highlighted that insomnia was surprisingly common (affecting nearly half of all players), which is particularly concerning because poor sleep can actually reduce gaming performance and cognitive function.

This is one of the first studies specifically examining caffeine use in esports players, so direct comparisons are limited. However, the caffeine amounts found (averaging 280 mg/day) are similar to or slightly higher than general population studies in Brazil and other countries. The high rate of side effects (76.5%) is notably higher than what’s typically reported in non-athlete populations, suggesting that esports players may be more sensitive to caffeine or may use it in ways that increase side effects (such as drinking it late in the day). The finding that performance motivation drives higher caffeine use aligns with research in traditional sports.

This study has several important limitations to keep in mind. First, it only included Brazilian esports players, so the findings may not apply to players in other countries with different gaming cultures or caffeine availability. Second, the study relied on players self-reporting their caffeine intake, which can be inaccurate—people often forget what they drank or underestimate amounts. Third, because this is a snapshot study, we can’t determine whether caffeine actually causes the side effects or if players with certain traits are simply more likely to both drink caffeine and experience these problems. Finally, the study didn’t measure actual gaming performance or cognitive function, so we don’t know if the caffeine actually helped players perform better.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, esports players should: (1) Be aware that caffeine can help with focus but may harm sleep quality, especially if consumed late in the day; (2) Consider limiting daily intake to 400 milligrams or less (about 4 cups of coffee), as recommended by health authorities; (3) Pay attention to personal side effects rather than assuming everyone tolerates the same amount; (4) Prioritize sleep quality over caffeine use, since poor sleep actually reduces gaming performance; (5) If using caffeine for performance, consume it at least 6 hours before bedtime. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the research shows caffeine use is common but doesn’t prove it improves actual gaming performance.

Competitive esports players, esports coaches, and esports team managers should pay attention to these findings. Young players (who may be more sensitive to caffeine) and players struggling with sleep should be especially careful. This research is less relevant to casual gamers who play for fun rather than competition. People with heart conditions, anxiety disorders, or sleep disorders should consult a doctor before using caffeine for gaming.

If you change your caffeine habits, you might notice improvements in sleep quality within 3-7 days, especially if you stop consuming caffeine in the afternoon and evening. However, if caffeine was helping your focus during games, you may initially feel less sharp for 1-2 weeks as your body adjusts. After 2-4 weeks, your body will reach a new balance, and you can assess whether your overall performance (including sleep quality and consistency) has improved.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily caffeine intake by source (coffee, energy drinks, tea, soda) and time of consumption. Also log sleep quality (1-10 scale) and any side effects (insomnia, jitteriness, stomach pain, racing heartbeat). This helps identify your personal caffeine tolerance and optimal timing.
  • Set a daily caffeine limit (suggest 300-400 mg) and create a cutoff time (suggest 2 PM or 6 hours before bedtime). Use the app to receive reminders when approaching your daily limit and alerts if you’re consuming caffeine too late in the day. Track correlations between caffeine timing and sleep quality to find your personal sweet spot.
  • Weekly review of caffeine intake patterns, side effects, sleep quality, and gaming performance. Monthly analysis to identify trends—for example, whether reducing afternoon caffeine improves sleep without hurting gaming focus. Adjust limits based on personal data rather than general recommendations, since individual sensitivity varies widely.

This research describes caffeine use patterns in esports players but does not prove that caffeine improves gaming performance or that it directly causes the reported side effects. Individual responses to caffeine vary significantly based on genetics, tolerance, and timing. If you experience concerning side effects like persistent heart palpitations, severe insomnia, or anxiety, consult a healthcare provider. This information is educational and should not replace personalized medical advice. Pregnant individuals, those with heart conditions, anxiety disorders, or sleep disorders should speak with a doctor before using caffeine. Always prioritize sleep quality and overall health over performance enhancement.