Is There Such Thing as Too Much Coffee?

Coffee is known as the world’s most common pick-me-up. Now a new study suggests there should be a limit on your daily coffee intake.

Coffee provides an energetic lift for the most tiring parts of the day. And for a lot of us, that first warm cup is one of the coziest moments of the morning.

So how much is a reasonable amount? The FDA says that for healthy adults, 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects. That works out to about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee, depending on the coffee.

Researchers from the University of South Australia have also looked at where that line might be. Are you not ready to give up your cup of coffee just yet?

We feel energized after drinking coffee because of the caffeine in a typical cup of joe. Caffeine is a stimulant, which is why too much of it can leave some people feeling jittery. A cup of coffee allows us to feel alive and awake again exactly when we need it the most. 

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AS TOO MUCH COFFEE?

If you’re the type of person that strives on multiple cups of coffee to get through the day, you might want to rethink your methods. Too much caffeine can come with side effects you probably don’t want.

In a 2019 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Ang Zhou and Professor Elina Hyppönen analyzed the health records and self-reported coffee consumption of 347,077 people in the U.K. Biobank. UK Biobank is a national and international health resource open to all bona fide health researchers. It is following the health and well-being of 500,000 volunteer participants and provides health information, which does not identify them, to approved researchers in the UK and overseas.

The researchers reported that, compared with people who drank one to two cups a day, those who drank more than six cups a day had about 22 percent higher odds of developing cardiovascular disease. It’s worth keeping in mind that this was an observational study: it found an association, not proof that coffee was the cause. Still, the takeaway the researchers pointed to is a familiar one: moderation.

This research analyzed adults, but how much coffee is too much for a teenager? According to a 2014 study in the journal Pediatrics, approximately 73 percent of children consumed caffeine on a given day. Soda was still the biggest source, but its share was falling while coffee’s share was growing.

The FDA notes that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against energy drinks for children and teens, and the FDA recommends talking with your health care professional about your child’s or teen’s caffeine. For reference, a cup of Waka Coffee has about 70 mg of caffeine in a 8 fl oz cup.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH COFFEE AND CAFFEINE

A typical cup of 8 oz. brewed coffee can vary quite a bit in how much caffeine it holds, depending on the beans and how it’s brewed. Too much caffeine can lead to side effects that are best avoided.

If you drink a lot of coffee every day, it’s worth knowing what to watch for. Mayo Clinic lists possible effects of too much caffeine such as headache, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous or cranky, a fast heartbeat, muscle tremors and an upset stomach. If you love the taste of coffee, but want to reduce the amount of your consumed caffeine, try decaffeinated coffee options as well. 

Reactions to caffeine can differ from person to person based on the sensitivity one has to the substance. For sensitive people, even small amounts of caffeine can trigger these effects as well.

If you are currently taking any medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether caffeine affects any of them.

DRINKS WITH NOT AS MUCH CAFFEINE

If you’re still finding yourself needing this many cups of coffee after trying to cut back, maybe it’s time to give decaf a go. You’ll still be drinking the same cup of coffee but it will have much less caffeine (the FDA says decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 mg in an 8-ounce cup) - the best of both worlds! You can also try a delicious black instant tea that has about half the amount of caffeine per serving.

If you still want some caffeine, give Waka Instant Coffee a whirl! Our coffee has about 70 mg of caffeine, which is on the lower end for a typical brewed cup!

Your best instant coffee is waiting for you here.

This article is for general information only and isn't medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about caffeine, your diet or a health condition, talk to your doctor.