How much caffeine is too much? Here's what to know before having that next cup.
Whether we like it or not, caffeine is a big part of our lives. We put on a pot of coffee in the mornings, get through the afternoon slump with an energy drink and grab espresso martinis after work.
As the saying “everything in moderation” dictates, there are healthy and unhealthy ways to get your caffeine fix. The right amount of coffee is linked to longevity, a stronger liver and lower chances of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, strokes and colon cancer, Johns Hopkins Medicine writes.
But there is such a thing as too much of a “good” thing.
How much caffeine is dangerous?
According to registered dietician Jordan Hill, the recommended limit for caffeine intake is about 400 milligrams per day. Still, Hill recommends 300 milligrams per day for adults, especially those who may be more sensitive to the side effects of caffeine.
An 8-ounce cup of coffee has just under 100 milligrams of caffeine in it, so you should avoid that fifth cup of joe.
Coffee is not the only caffeinated substance — many types of tea, soda, energy drinks or bars, supplements and even chocolate contain caffeine.
“Each of these items have different, varying amounts of caffeine in them, so if we're consuming them throughout the day, it could be very easy to go above that 300 milligram recommendation,” Hill says.
And what happens if you go above 400 milligrams? The potential for a number of side effects, according to Hill:
Headaches
Insomnia
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability
Rapid heartbeat
Muscle tremors
Long-term overconsumption may exacerbate these effects, and heavy caffeine drinkers could experience high blood pressure, ongoing gastrointestinal issues and, in rare cases, death.
Caffeine is technically a drug; a stimulant. This means it speeds up the central nervous system and boosts energy levels. Caffeine is absorbed within 45 minutes of consumption and stays in the blood anywhere between 90 minutes to nine and a half hours. This also depends on food intake, smoking (which speeds up the breakdown) or pregnancy and oral contraceptives (which slow it down).
“We can build up a tolerance to it, which just means we require more caffeine to feel the same effects,” Hill says, pointing to short-term effects like alertness and increased productivity. “It might take more caffeine to feel those things, but at the same time, as that amount of caffeine goes up, so does the risk for side effects.”
Concerned about your caffeine intake? Hill recommends these tips to reduce your coffee consumption:
Switch between caffeinated and decaf coffee
Try a half decaf-half regular coffee
Transition to tea, which has less caffeine than a cup of coffee
Alternate coffee with water, which may quench your thirst by hydrating rather than reaching for another cup
What is espresso?: How it's different from regular coffee
How much caffeine can kids have?
The recommendation for kids ages 11 and younger is zero caffeine and less than 100 milligrams per day for kids ages 12 to 17, Hill says.
It’s not just coffee — parents should keep an eye out for caffeine in soda, chocolate, over-the-counter medications and even coffee-flavored foods like ice cream and candy.
The biggest worry with children and caffeine is sleep disruption.
“That's going to impact their learning abilities the following day, they're going to be sleepy, they're not going to be as alert," Hill says. "It'll interfere with regular development."
Can you drink coffee while pregnant?
Drinking less than 200 milligrams of coffee per day is generally okay during pregnancy, Hill advises.
Caffeine is believed to cause blood vessels in the uterus and placenta to constrict, reducing the blood supply to the fetus. A 2021 study found pregnant people who consumed less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day gave birth to smaller babies.
Drinking a low to moderate amount of caffeine does not lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or hypertension for pregnant people, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found. A study even found that drinking up to 100 milligrams of caffeine per day correlated with a 47% reduction in diabetes risk.
How much caffeine is in coffee?
According to Mayo Clinic, here’s approximately how much caffeine is in these popular 8 ounce drinks:
Brewed coffee: 96 milligrams
Brewed decaf coffee: 2 milligrams
Instant coffee: 62 milligrams
Instant decaf coffee: 2 milligrams
Black tea: 47 milligrams
Black decaf tea: 2 milligrams
Green tea: 28 milligrams
Bottled tea: 19 milligrams
Cola: 22 milligrams
Root beer: 0 milligrams
Citrus soda: 0 milligrams
Energy drink: 71.9 milligrams
Energy shot: 215 milligrams
Espresso shots have about 64 milligrams of caffeine, and decaf espresso shots are entirely caffeine-free.
How to make coffee: One expert offers tips to brew the perfect cup at home
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How much caffeine is too much? Watch out for these symptoms.
