.png)
Studies have shown that drinking coffee offers several benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It also helps increase energy and improve mood.
However, some experts have identified a link between high coffee consumption and conditions like dementia, heart disease, and stroke. So, how much coffee is safe to consume?
NBC News cited Tricia Psota, a member of the American Society for Nutrition, saying that while typical intake might not be harmful, one shouldn't drink coffee solely for health reasons.
Psota commented, "I would never advise anyone who doesn't already consume caffeinated beverages to start doing so for health benefits."
So, when is coffee consumption too much?
The Food and Drug Administration recommends a limit of 400 milligrams per day, which equates to about four to five 8-ounce cups.
The agency further clarified that unless someone consumes roughly 12 cups of coffee daily, they are unlikely to experience the adverse effects of caffeine, such as irregular heartbeat or vomiting.
However, Psota pointed out that 400 mg can occasionally lead to side effects like nervousness and difficulty in falling asleep.
She also advised that caffeine consumption should be limited to 200 mg for pregnant or nursing mothers, as caffeine can transfer to breast milk and might be ingested by the unborn child. Research indicates that pregnant women who consume moderate amounts of caffeine have a lower risk of gestational diabetes compared to those who ingest more. But, caffeine intake during pregnancy has also been associated with lower baby birth weights.
Adding extra sugar or cream to coffee can pose risks for people with diabetes or cardiovascular disease, says Nikki Cota, a dietician at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
If you begin to feel overly tired and the caffeine isn't helping, adhere to the suggested limits on milligrams or cups of coffee, advises Jessica Sylvester, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.