Washington: To help prevent serious health problems arising from consuming too much caffeine, scientists, including Indian-origin researchers, have developed a rapid, at-home test to detect even low levels of the stimulant in most beverages and even breast milk.

Mani Subramanian from the University of Iowa and colleagues note that caffeine's popularity as a "pick-me-up" has led to it being added to more than 570 beverages and 150 food products, including gums and jelly beans. It also comes in a pure powder form that consumers can use themselves to spike drinks and food. In small amounts, most people can handle caffeine without a problem. But excessive doses can lead to serious health problems, including insomnia, hallucinations, vitamin deficiency, several types of cancer and in rare cases, death, researchers said.