I love my morning cup of coffee as much as the next person. However, too much of anything can be detrimental to our health, and this certainly includes coffee. If you are a coffee drinker, how can you tell if you’re drinking too much?
One sign you’re drinking too much coffee and need to stop ASAP is inability to fall asleep or remain asleep after consuming caffeine. While each individual’s caffeine tolerance is different, large quantities can be associated with lowered sleep quality and quantity. Adequate sleep is essential for many areas of health from cognition and concentration to mood and immune function. If you find caffeine affects your sleep, you may want to reduce intake or avoid drinking coffee later in the day.
Another sign you may be drinking too much coffee is if it is causing increased anxiety, nervousness, or stress. The stimulant effect of caffeine can cause heightened sensitivity and irritability. This may occur at higher doses (around 200-400 mg) and among sensitive individuals. Excess stress and anxiety can be detrimental to physical and mental health. If coffee is causing you to feel jittery, nervous, or anxious you might need to cut back.
You may be drinking too much coffee if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you miss a cup, such as headaches, decreased energy, decreased alertness, depressed mood, or even flu-like symptoms. These symptoms can impact your daily quality of life, making it difficult to concentrate at work or enjoy daily tasks. If you find that your day is dependent on a cup of coffee, it may be a sign that you need to cut back the quantity you are consuming.
Adults should limit their caffeine intake to about 400 mg per day, which is around 3-5 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee.
Keep in mind that coffee can contribute to frequent urination, so it is important to drink water as well to avoid dehydration. Certain groups of individuals such as those with hypertension (high blood pressure) and pregnant or breastfeeding women should consider limiting their caffeine intake. It is also important to consider what you are putting in your coffee, as sugar, cream, and syrups can impact the health benefits.
If you love coffee, you do not need to give it up completely! Just be mindful of how much you are consuming so that it does not negatively affect your health.
