Healthy living
Caffeine and Your Health: How Much Is Too Much?
The benefits and limits of coffee and energy drinks, how caffeine affects sleep, heart rate and anxiety and a sensible daily amount.
How much caffeine is in your drink
| Drink | Approximate caffeine |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee (8 oz) | 80 to 100 mg |
| Espresso (1 shot) | 60 to 75 mg |
| Black tea (8 oz) | 40 to 50 mg |
| Green tea (8 oz) | 25 to 30 mg |
| Cola (12 oz) | 30 to 40 mg |
| Energy drink (16 oz) | 150 to 300 mg |
Benefits and downsides
Moderate coffee drinking is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease and some other conditions. Too much caffeine can cause:
- Anxiety and jitteriness
- Palpitations (see heart palpitations)
- Heartburn and stomach upset
- Trouble sleeping
- Higher blood pressure in some people
Cutting back without the headache
- Reduce by about half a cup every few days.
- Mix regular and decaf.
- Switch afternoon coffee to herbal tea.
- Stay hydrated and get enough sleep.
How we can help
If you rely on caffeine to get through the day, we can look at why you feel so tired. See why you might feel tired all the time.
Questions people ask
Is coffee bad for your heart?
For most people, moderate coffee is not harmful and may be protective. People with certain heart rhythm problems may need to limit it.
Does caffeine dehydrate you?
Moderate caffeine counts toward your fluid intake.
How much caffeine is safe in pregnancy?
Up to 200 mg a day is generally considered safe.
Talk it through with Lydia
Running on coffee? Let us look at what is draining your energy. See a board-certified nurse practitioner virtually anywhere in Virginia, in our Woodbridge office, or straight to your front door in much of Northern Virginia.
Visits start at $85, and every membership comes with a 30-day trial.
Prefer to ask first? Text us at (571) 402-2102 or message us on WhatsApp.
