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Can\u2019t imagine starting your morning without a cup of coffee<\/a>? You\u2019re not alone. Many people around the world rely on that jolt of java to jumpstart their day. In fact, 67% of American adults<\/a> had coffee in the past day (more than any other beverage, including tap or bottled water<\/a>). Why do so many consume this drink? One word: caffeine.\u00a0<\/p>\n Getting that caffeine fix is a daily routine for most, but when does it become too much?\u00a0<\/p>\n Caffeine<\/a> is a stimulant that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants including:<\/p>\n While caffeine is a natural substance, there\u2019s also a synthetic version that can be found in a variety of products including, pain relievers, cold medicines, energy drinks, \u201cenergy boosting\u201d gum and other snacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that most people get their caffeine fix from consuming drinks<\/a> like coffee<\/a>, tea, and energy drinks. However, it\u2019s also found naturally in the plants used to make chocolate.\u00a0<\/p>\n The U.S. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports one cup of milk chocolate chips contain 34 milligrams<\/a> of caffeine.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s also found in some plants used as flavorings, such as guarana, or alternative teas popular in South America, such as yerba mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n With more than half of Americans drinking a cup(s) of Joe a day, many may not be aware if they\u2019re consuming more than they should. For healthy adults, the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends 400 milligrams a day<\/a>\u2014that\u2019s about four or five cups of coffee\u2014as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the effects of caffeine vary based on an individual\u2019s sensitivity to the substance and other factors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEach person is going to metabolize caffeine a little bit differently, so this [daily recommendation] may vary,\u201d Courtney Pelitera<\/a>, a registered dietician, tells Fortune<\/em>. \u201cAdditionally, someone could build up a higher tolerance to caffeine with increased intake over time.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds, \u201cCaffeine should be limited to 1-2 cups of coffee daily or even less. This is something that should be discussed with your doctor if heart disease is a concern and caffeine is something you enjoy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n While caffeine is coffee\u2019s main component, it also boasts a myriad of health benefits in addition to its unique, yet favorable taste.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCaffeine, in appropriate doses, can be beneficial for mood and alertness,\u201d says Pelitera. \u201cAdditionally, most caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee<\/a> and tea, also contain antioxidants which help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to stimulating the nervous system and reducing cardiovascular disease, caffeine has also been linked to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes<\/a> and Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n Pelitera adds, \u201cThere have been some more recent studies showing that caffeine may decrease depression.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re brewing coffee in your home or heading to your local coffee shop, it\u2019s important to know how much caffeine is in your cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDepending on the type of coffee and the brew, a typical 8 oz cup of coffee ranges from about 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine per cup,\u201d says Pelitera. \u201cTypically, cold brew coffee is going to contain a little more caffeine (up to 200 milligrams) and a single shot of espresso is going to be about 65-75 milligrams. This is something to keep in mind if you are typically ordering something like a latte.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Even though coffee is ubiquitous in society, people should still drink the popular brewed beverage in moderation.<\/p>\n Pelitera adds \u201cIt is important to remember that caffeine is classified as a stimulant drug. Something I find is easy to forget when coffee in particular is so widely consumed on a daily basis.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Although caffeine has its benefits, too much can be detrimental to your health. In fact, it can exacerbate existing conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cToo much caffeine can cause issues with sleep<\/a>, dehydration, and more,\u201d says Pelitera. \u201cIt is important to understand this especially for those with heart conditions or high blood pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional negative side effects<\/a>, include:\u00a0<\/p>\n The overconsumption of caffeine is harmful and potentially fatal. In fact, the FDA<\/a> estimates toxic effects, like seizures, can be observed with rapid consumption of around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine, or 0.15 tablespoons of pure caffeine.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, pure and highly concentrated caffeine products present a significant public health threat and have contributed to at least two deaths<\/a> in the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aside from highly concentrated caffeine, there\u2019s also been an uptick in energy drink consumption.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith the rise in energy drinks, as a dietitian I am definitely seeing people consuming high amounts of caffeine this way,\u201d says Pelitera. \u201cSome of the most popular drinks that I see are Celsius, Alani Nu, Monster, or Red Bull<\/a>. I always recommend caution with these as they can contain 200 milligrams of caffeine. So, people that might have a morning 12-16 oz coffee and then an afternoon energy drink could be easily reaching that 400 milligrams daily limit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n One or two cups of coffee is fine for most healthy adults. However, even a small amount can pose health risks to some individuals. That\u2019s why it\u2019s recommended to check with your health care provider about whether you should limit or avoid caffeine completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nWhat is caffeine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What foods and beverages contain caffeine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How much caffeine is too much?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are the health benefits of caffeine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How much caffeine is in coffee?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are the side effects of too much caffeine?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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When does caffeine become dangerous to your health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Who should avoid caffeine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n