How Much Coffee is Too Much?

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Millions of American's rely on that good 'ole cup of Joe in the morning to start their day. Caffeine helps alleviate fatigue, increase alertness and improve concentration. Coffee has had its share of negativity with rumors of causing heart disease and stunting your growth. Now, experts say that there is no connection between coffee and disease and that it actual provides several health benefits. Research has found that regular coffee consumption can decrease cardiovascular and overall mortality. According the The Mayo Clinic, studies have also shown that coffee can prevent type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver cancer, and liver disease. That being said, there are some health risks associated with high consumption of caffeine, especially, with espresso or unfiltered coffee including high cholesterol. If you're drinking multiple cups a day with milk and sugar, you're potentially adding hundreds more unhealthy calories into your diet per day.

How Much Coffee is Too Much?

The National Institutes of Health and several experts claim that healthy adults can safely consume up to 400mg (or 4 cups of coffee) per day. However, for some adult, heavy caffeine use can lead to:

* Insomnia
* Headaches
* Dizziness
* Nausea
* Irritability
* Nervousness
* Restlessness
* Heart palpitations

I'm considered a "heavy" coffee drinker drinking up to 5 cups of coffee a day which is why I wanted to do this article. I was curious about how detrimental my habit is having on my heart. Scientists at the University of South Australia in Adelaide found that you should try to curb your habit if you drink over 4 cups per day, especially, if you're experiencing side effects mentioned above. You also must take into consideration any medications or supplements you take that could interact with caffeine and increase your blood pressure. Their findings showed that individual's who drank 6 or more cups of coffee per day showed a modest increase risk of cardiovascular disease. Bottom line, their analysis that appears in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that more than 6 cups is the 'tipping point.' Drinking fewer than 6 cups a day can reduce your risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. After reading these findings, I'm vowing to drink 4 cups a day tops and slowly lowering that number to two.

How to Curb Your Caffeine Habit

Cutting back on coffee and other caffeinated products is difficult for most people who have consumed it regularly. The challenge is withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, difficulty focusing, and headaches. The good news is, these withdrawal symptoms typically, only last a few days. When trying to cut back on coffee and caffeine, pay attention to your food labels as well. Many foods and beverages contain small amounts of caffeine that you might not know of. Start by drinking one fewer cup of coffee each day or, pour it into a smaller cup. Switch to decaffeinated beverages that taste and look the same. As always, talk with your physician about how much coffee you're drinking per day and heed their advice.