Overdosing on your morning brew? Find out if you're drinking too much coffee
While coffee is delicious and aromatic, moderation is key. Consuming an excessive amount of caffeine is not suitable for our health and overall well-being. Drinking too much coffee can dehydrate the body and raise blood pressure. Health professionals suggest that a healthy adult should not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine daily, which equals 3-4 cups. This recommended dose drops to 200 mg for pregnant women. If you have hypertension, it's better to limit your coffee intake.
11:43 AM EST, January 9, 2024
Signs You're Drinking Too Much Coffee
People typically drink coffee for two reasons: they want an energy boost and enjoy its taste. Everything is fine as long as we don't surpass the daily recommended dose of caffeine. However, our love for coffee can become unhealthy if it's excessive. Luckily, it's easy to notice the symptoms of a caffeine overdose.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might want to reconsider having that fifth or sixth cup of coffee:
- Headaches, especially migraines,
- heart palpitations,
- mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, hyperactivity, fear, or impulsiveness,
- trouble sleeping and falling asleep, which can potentially lead to depression and memory impairment,
- chest pain - as caffeine may reduce the blood flow to the heart. This risk is particularly high for individuals with cardiovascular diseases
- and frequent urination - coffee can increase urine production. Frequent consumption means you'll be making regular trips to the bathroom.
