How Much Coffee Should You Be Drinking?

Coffee is a popular beverage worldwide and a well-known source of caffeine; it’s common to reach for an extra cup as a quick boost of energy. Along with fighting fatigue, the beverage has been linked to numerous other health benefits, including a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, and some cancers.¹

However, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Excessive caffeine intake can cause adverse effects, such as insomnia, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, and agitation.²

While individual recommendations vary based on various factors, research provides generalized guidelines for daily caffeine consumption. Here’s how much coffee you should be drinking every day.

Recommended Daily Coffee Intake

Caffeine, one of the many active compounds found in coffee, is the most widely consumed psychostimulant worldwide.³ It’s best known for stimulating the central nervous system and improving vigilance, attention, and reaction time. It may also support athletic endurance and training efforts.⁴ However, excessive caffeine intake can be harmful.

An 8-ounce (oz) serving of freshly brewed coffee contains 96 milligrams (mg) of caffeine.⁵ Research indicates that up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is typically safe for most adults. Since the average cup of coffee contains around 100 mg of caffeine, most adults can tolerate 3-4 cups of brewed coffee daily without adverse effects.³

Factors To Consider

Coffee intake can affect people differently, as genetics can influence how caffeine affects your body.⁶ A healthcare provider or registered dietitian can offer individualized guidance based on your medical history. However, consider these factors that may influence how much coffee you should have per day:

• Caffeine sensitivity: Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others due to their genetic makeup.⁶ If you experience adverse side effects after drinking coffee, like jitters, fast heart rate, or anxiety, you may need to consume fewer cups than the average recommendation.⁷
• Consumption of other caffeine sources: The average recommendation for caffeine intake is 400 mg per day, but that includes all sources of caffeine—not just coffee. Your ideal amount of coffee daily may be less than average if you drink energy drinks, take pre-workout supplements, or eat chocolate.⁷
• Medication regimen: Caffeine intake may interfere with the effectiveness of some prescription medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), neuroleptic drugs, and aspirin.⁸ When starting a new medication, discuss the potential drug-coffee interactions with your healthcare provider to determine how many cups of coffee per day are suitable for you.
• Health conditions: Pre-existing health conditions can influence your recommended caffeine intake. People with a history of anxiety, migraines, or cardiovascular concerns may need to reduce their coffee intake. Also, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding typically need to limit their caffeine intake.⁷⁹

Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee has been linked to many health benefits, including increased longevity in some populations. Research has shown that drinking five cups of coffee per day may result in a lower overall risk of death and lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer in some populations. However, this is more than the recommended four cups or less.¹⁰

Research has also found that coffee affects some of your body’s biological processes, which may help reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. For instance, habitual coffee intake has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Research suggests this may be partly because coffee intake helps preserve liver and beta cell function, which is essential for the release of insulin for blood glucose control.¹¹

Coffee consumption may offer neuroprotective benefits, according to research. Individuals who regularly consume one to four cups of coffee daily may be at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.¹² Caffeine may also help reduce the risk or progression of Parkinson’s disease and depression.¹³¹⁴

However, coffee should not replace other medical treatments your healthcare provider may recommend. Factors like your health history and lifestyle can affect your risk for certain conditions and treatment needs. A registered dietitian can help you incorporate coffee into a well-balanced diet in a way that offers optimal benefits for wellness.

Risks of Drinking Too Much Coffee

Coffee is a stimulant, so drinking too much in a short time may cause unwanted physical and mental side effects. Short-term symptoms of excessive caffeine intake may include:¹⁵

• Poor sleep
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Gastrointestinal upset¹⁶
• Nervousness
• Frequent urination¹⁷

The long-term overconsumption of caffeine may result in more severe effects, such as:¹⁸

• Insomnia
• Migraines
• An increased risk of hypertension¹⁹
• Dehydration

These risks may also be heightened if you consume other sources of caffeine, such as tea or energy drinks. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate the many factors that determine a safe amount of coffee daily.

How To Manage Your Coffee Consumption

If you regularly consume coffee and want to reduce your intake, it’s best to do so gradually unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Stopping abruptly may cause an array of withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue.⁷

Consider these tips for managing your coffee consumption:

• Monitor your intake: Caffeine isn’t just found in coffee. It’s also found in teas, cocoa, energy drinks, colas, energy bars, and some medications. Keep tabs on your caffeine intake throughout the day to get a better understanding of how much you’re consuming.
• Cut back gradually: Try reducing your intake by one cup at a time or mixing regular coffee with decaf to enjoy a weaker cup to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• Get enough sleep: Many people reach for an extra cup of coffee when fatigued. Adequate sleep can help, as sleep is essential for many avenues of wellness, including cognitive function, mood, and metabolic health. Research suggests most adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health.²⁰
• Try decaf: Decaffeinated coffee can be an excellent option for people who want to enjoy the taste of coffee with less caffeine.
• Substitute a non-caffeinated beverage: Instead of coffee, opt for a non-caffeinated beverage such as water, juice, fruit-infused water, milk, or fruit smoothies.

A Quick Review

Coffee is a popular beverage worldwide that contains many active compounds, including caffeine. While caffeine is best known for giving you a quick boost of energy, coffee offers several other potential health benefits, such as increased longevity and reduced disease risk.

Most research recommends consuming 400 mg of caffeine or less per day. Since an 8 oz cup of coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine, most people can enjoy around 4 cups of coffee per day without adverse effects.

Be mindful of other sources of caffeine in your diet and seek guidance from a healthcare professional for individualized recommendations. If you want to cut back on your coffee intake, do so gradually to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.