How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee? (2024)

Eat|How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee?

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/26/well/eat/coffee-benefits-caffeine-risks.html

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How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee? (1)

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Coffee is linked with lots of health benefits, but most of the risks come from the caffeine.

Credit...Eric Helgas for The New York Times

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Q: I routinely drink three or four cups of coffee per day, but often wonder if this is too much. Should I consider cutting back?

Coffee can be many things: a morning ritual, a cultural tradition, a productivity hack and even a health drink. Studies suggest, for instance, that coffee drinkers live longer and have lower risks of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular conditions and some cancers.

“Overall, coffee does more good than bad,” said Rob van Dam, a professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.

But between your breakfast brew, lunchtime latte and afternoon espresso, is it possible to have too much? And if so, how can you tell?

We asked experts to give us the unfiltered truth.

The consequences of overdoing it

Coffee contains thousands of chemical compounds, many of which may influence health, said Marilyn Cornelis, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

But coffee is also the largest source of caffeine for people in the United States, and that’s where most of the risks associated with coffee consumption come from, she said.

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How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee? ›

For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that's about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects.

Is it okay to drink 12 cups of coffee a day? ›

The Food and Drug Administration recommends people cap their daily caffeine intake at 400 milligrams, or about four or five 8-ounce cups of coffee.

Is 2 tablespoons of coffee too much? ›

In general, a tablespoon of coffee equals approximately 10.6 grams. So, for a cup of coffee, you will want to use 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of coffee grinds. We're not talking about instant coffee crystals, but grounds from actual coffee beans. If you are using scoops, you'll want the scoop to be equal to 2 tablespoons.

Is 2 pots of coffee a day bad? ›

Research published in December 2022 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day may double the risk of death from cardiovascular disease among people with severe high blood pressure (160/100 mm Hg or higher).

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot? ›

Consumption of 200 milligrams of caffeine doesn't cause any significant harmful effects in healthy people. However, a variety of factors can influence that number, including pregnancy, use of other drugs and sleep deprivation. Pregnant women are recommended not to take more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.

How much coffee in one day is unhealthy? ›

You drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day

You may want to cut back if you're drinking more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day (or the equivalent) and you have side effects such as: Headache. Insomnia. Nervousness.

Is it OK to drink 7 cups of coffee a day? ›

“Although further studies are needed to identify the best amount, in general, consuming less than or equal to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, or about four or five cups, is what we'd recommend,” Dr. Zahn says.

What is the healthiest way to drink coffee? ›

Take It Black. The easiest way to make your coffee healthier? Take it without adding sugar or cream. Both of those are loaded with empty calories, while a plain cup of black coffee actually has close to zero.

What are the side effects of drinking too much coffee? ›

Caffeine is possibly unsafe when used for a long time or in doses over 400 mg daily. Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, increased heart rate, and other side effects. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, and chest pain.

Is coffee good for your heart? ›

Results: Recent (2000-2021) studies have shown that regular coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of developing hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

Is coffee bad for the kidneys? ›

Most studies show that coffee has protective effects on the kidneys, thanks to antioxidants. Drinking coffee is associated with: A lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) Better kidney function (the kidney is less likely to lose protein in the urine)

Is too much coffee bad for your liver? ›

It should be safe for you to drink coffee if you have a liver condition. There is some evidence that it can slow down the progress of liver disease in some people. Some research found that people were less likely to die of liver disease or to develop cirrhosis if they drank coffee.

Is coffee bad for blood pressure? ›

People are generally advised to not drink too much coffee because caffeine can raise blood pressure. However, coffee also contains certain compounds which can lower blood pressure. This study provides evidence that moderate coffee consumption could be safe for those with hypertension.

Is drinking coffee every day bad for you? ›

“For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.” Hu said that moderate coffee intake—about 2–5 cups a day—is linked to a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

How much caffeine is in co*ke vs coffee? ›

co*ke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet co*ke caffeine content is 46mg. That's three to four times less than coffee! The same-sized coffee, in this case a 12-oz cup, has 140mg or more.

Is 13 cups of coffee a day too much? ›

While 4–5 cups per day may be optimal, many people can tolerate more than that without any problems. If you like drinking a lot of coffee and don't experience side effects, there's no reason to stop drinking it.

What happens if I drink 15 cups of coffee a day? ›

Some people find that drinking more than 4 or 5 cups of coffee can induce various side effects. Headaches, nervousness, irritability, urination issues, fast heartbeat, muscle tremors and stomach issues can all appear.

What are the long term effects of drinking coffee everyday? ›

Regular use of more than 600 mg of caffeine a day might cause long-term effects such as sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, more anxiety, and stomach acidity. It can also increase blood pressure, and if you already have high blood pressure, it can get worse.

How many cups of coffee a day is beneficial? ›

Drinking two to five daily cups of coffee may protect against heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, but too much can cause problems like anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia.

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