Skip to content
How much coffee is too much? This is a question that many people ask and the answer isn't always clear. Some people can drink a lot of coffee and be fine, while others may feel jittery or anxious after just one cup. So how do you know if you're drinking too much coffee?
Whilst coffee tastes great and has positive benefits, like all things in life, it's all about balance... and as with most things in life, too much of a good thing isn’t always good.
How much is too much?
Simply put it’s the total amount of caffeine you consume from all sources that is important.
According to the recommendations in the 2021 report by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the recommended maximum daily dose of caffeine from all sources is 400mg for an adult (200mg if you are pregnant or breastfeeding).
An espresso is estimated to contain 145mg of caffeine per 50ml cup, so that means around 3 espressos per day if that’s the only source of caffeine you consume. Black tea is about 50mg per 220ml cup and milk chocolate contains about 10mg of caffeine per 50g.
What if I have more than this?
You know yourself best, so watch for signs of issues with sleep, digestion, or agitation. Also, a lot of coffee over a long term may increase your risk of heartburn, osteoporosis, insomnia, miscarriage or infertility.
If you're feeling constantly anxious or jittery, having trouble sleeping, or experiencing heart palpitations, then it's possible that you're drinking too much coffee. If you're finding it hard to concentrate or focus on tasks, that's another sign that you may need to cut back on the caffeine.
So, while we would love to say “drink to your heart’s content”, it’s important to know your limits – which is even more reason to make sure you saviour every cup with quality over quantity!
Ultimately, only you can decide how much coffee is right for you. But if you're noticing any negative side effects from drinking too much caffeine, it's best to scale back your intake until you find a level that works best for you.
