That caffeine buzz is something many of us can’t live without. Whether it’s the morning fuel that will get you to the office or gym on time, the aroma that’ll get you out of bed when your alarm is on snooze, or just an enjoyable part of your daily ritual, a cup of coffee delivers a shot of happiness and energy that brightens your day. But how many times have you debated with friends how much coffee is too much?
If your social circle is anything like ours, it’s a popular topic. And when the coffee is as tasty as ours, it can be hard to resist! So we thought it would be good to dig down into the detail and discover how many cups of coffee a human can safely drink.
Before we jump in, we want to set one thing straight! Is coffee healthy at all?
Doctors around the world respond with a resounding yes. In the right quantity, coffee has numerous incredible benefits which we’ll briefly explore…
The Health Benefits of Coffee
So we can rest assured that if we don’t go overboard, coffee has a wide variety of proven health benefits, ranging from heart health to increased alertness that can help fend off troublesome conditions like dementia. You’ve probably also seen innovative beauty products, such as coffee scrubs, that promote glowing, vibrant skin!
Medical professionals and experts in the field agree that drinking coffee is generally a good thing, which is one of the reasons why it's so deeply rooted in so many societies. So here’s a rundown of the most notable benefits that will keep you sipping:
Many studies have seen that drinking coffee can help prevent conditions that can prove fatal, such as diabetes, strokes, and kidney disease.
The same can be said for heart disease and heart attacks. A healthy amount of coffee can help combat heart issues, helping drinkers to live longer.
Another one of the incredible health benefits of coffee is its ability to reduce the risk of conditions such as Parkinson's, Dementia, and Alzheimer's. In one important study, researchers found that women aged 65 and over who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop dementia. Powerful stuff.
Doctors have found oily substances in coffee, called diterpenes, that can block receptors in the intestines which help to regulate cholesterol. A regular paper filter prevents these oils from leaking into your cup, providing a way to keep your cholesterol levels down.
Benefits aside, how much coffee is too much? Or in other words, how many cups of coffee a day is a healthy limit?
Daily Coffee Consumption Limits
The first thing to clarify is that we’re all different and the impact caffeine has on our bodies varies from person to person. Some feel the jitters after a cup or two whereas others can drink a never-ending supply of coffee and barely notice a difference. Though there are healthy guidelines and medical recommendations, you're likely to have a good idea of where your own limits lie.
According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine, a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. What does this mean in terms of cups of coffee? Well, it depends on what kind you’re drinking!
- Depending on how strong you make your pour-over, that’s likely to be roughly four cups a day, though it could be less if you like yours stronger as some pour-over coffees have up to 185mg per cup.
- For those espresso fans, you can probably have a few more, as the typical espresso tends to have between 40 and 75mg per cup.
- A flat white comes in around 130mg and a cappuccino at 154mg.
If you’re looking for a punchy caffeine fix, pour over is your best friend! With a greater caffeine kick in every cup, you get more for less work. And many argue that the therapeutic pour-over process puts them into an almost meditative state, which in turn can help relieve stress. Of course, the xBloom machine takes care of this for you. So you can sit back and relax while the perfect brew makes itself!
So now you know. Doctors recommend we don’t exceed that 400 mg a day. Does that seem a lot or a little to you? If your daily average was closer to eight cups, it might be time to start cutting back a little! Investing in high-quality coffee is a great first step in ensuring your daily fix is as good as it can be. You can read some tips for optimizing your morning coffee here!
