How much coffee is it okay to drink? Coffee and caffeine can have a variety of health benefits, but too much can lead to some symptoms. It’s best to stay under the daily limit that is recommended for the general population or by your healthcare provider. So how many cups of coffee a day can you drink safely?
Safe Daily Amount of Coffee
The general guideline for daily caffeine consumption is to have no more than 400 mg. This is the amount of caffeine in about 4 cups of coffee. Keep in mind that the safe number of cups of coffee per day is lower if you are getting caffeine from other sources, such as colas, chocolate, some energy drinks, and tea.
It’s important to remember that the “safe” level of caffeine is just a general recommendation. Your healthcare provider might have other recommendations for you, so it’s best to ask. Also, the recommended maximum amount of coffee may be different if you are pregnant or if you have a health condition or are on certain medications. If you have acid reflux, you might need to have less caffeine and choose a brand of coffee that has less acid, such as Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee. You’ll also want to get specific recommendations if you’re wondering about caffeine for children or adolescents.
Signs That You May Need to Cut Back on Coffee
Caffeine can have benefits such as increasing your focus and helping you stay awake when you’re sleepy.
Having far too much caffeine can lead to risks such as seizures, but more moderate levels of over caffeination can cause many other symptoms. You may notice one or more of the following signs if you are having more caffeine than you should.
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
- Jitters
- Upset stomach
- Pounding heart or rapid heart rate
- Anxiety
If you’re having trouble cutting back on caffeine because you depend on it to keep you awake and alert, you might want to consider your sleep habits. It’s possible that getting more sleep can make you less dependent on the effects of caffeine.
Using Decaf and Half Caff Alternatives
If you’re trying to cut back on caffeine, but you love drinking more than 4 small cups of coffee per day, what can you do? Luckily, there are alternatives. You can choose decaf coffee or half caff coffee. Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee products include Regular, Half Caff, and Decaf coffee beans so you can choose your level of caffeine for every delicious cup.
Experts suggest having no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day, or the amount in about 4 small cups of coffee. You may need to cut back if you are having more than that or if you are experiencing symptoms such as trouble sleeping or the jitters. If you are trying to cut back, Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee is a great choice because you can choose Whole Bean or Ground Bean in Regular, Decaf, or Half Caff, and every choice is made from the same delicious blend of high-quality beans.