Here’s How Much Coffee Is Safe to Drink Per Day

By Jaclyn Anglis Updated: May 16, 2017

Tags:

coffee

If you love coffee as much as we do, chances are you’ve briefly wondered how much coffee is too much. And chances are, after cleaning out your Keurig, you went right back to enjoying your cup of joe and nothing happened. As have we, many times! But after we heard the tragic news about 16-year-old Davis Allen Cripe passing away from ingesting too much caffeine, we were heartbroken—and also a little worried. After all, Cripe died from an arrhythmia caused by caffeine overdose.

How much coffee is too much?

In the sad case of Cripe, the teen had consumed caffeine from a large Diet Mountain Dew, a cafe latte from McDonald’s and an energy drink—all over the course of about two hours. While the average person certainly doesn’t consume this much caffeine in one sitting, it’s understandable to be concerned about a coffee habit putting you at risk.

The good news? If you drink just one or two cups a day, you likely have nothing to worry about.

“Most people can safely take in about 400 milligrams of caffeine daily or about 4 cups of coffee,” said Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Of course, the limit varies from person to person, according to Maggie Sweeney, a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s department of psychiatry. But luckily for us, there are some basic guidelines we can follow.

Coffee Getty via Getty Images

“For adults it would be uncommon to experience effects of caffeine intoxication at less than 250 milligrams of caffeine (or 2.5 cups of coffee),” Sweeney said. “It would typically be more than 12 ounces, but much more common to have the negative effects with greater than 500 milligrams of caffeine.”

Deal of the Day

Get Ready for Summer With the OLOV Bikini Trimmer Now 34% Off! View Deal

So how much coffee would it take for your life to actually be in danger? The exact amount of coffee depends on your weight. But chances are, the estimated amount is very far off from your usual morning pick-me-up.

“It would likely take anywhere from 50-100 cups of coffee to result in a lethal dose of caffeine,” Glatter said. “That said, pure powdered caffeine can be lethal if a teaspoon of it is consumed at once. The recommended dose of powdered caffeine in this form is just 1/16th of a teaspoon.”

Good to know, coffee lovers!

via USAToday.com

NEXT: See the best foods to banish bloat in the photos below.

Anti Bloating Foods Banana

Getty Images
Share this:
Banana: This everyday fruit is not only delicious but also packed with prebiotic fiber that helps good gut bacteria flourish and improves your digestion.
Anti Bloating Foods Lemon Water

Getty Images
Share this:
Lemon Water: Slice whole lemons into your water and let it infuse before drinking to give your sluggish bowels a kick and help flush bloating water and toxins from your body.
Anti Bloating Foods Papaya

Getty Images
Share this:
Papaya: From its rich fiber content that aids digestion to its healthy enzymes that flush excess water, this tropical fruit banishes that bloated belly in many ways.
Anti Bloating Foods Celery

Getty Images
Share this:
Celery: There’s a good reason decades of dieters have turned to this veg: It’ll deflate your belly thanks to digestion-boosting fiber and chemicals that flush out fluids.
Anti Bloating Foods Kefir

Getty Images
Share this:
Kefir: This drinkable dairy product contains lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, which is a common source of painful bloating, even if you’re not lactose intolerant.
Anti Bloating Foods Watermelon

Getty Images
Share this:
Watermelon: You probably naturally reach for this juicy melon in the summer without considering why. Each slice is packed with fluid-flushing water and potassium.
Anti Bloating Foods Yogurt

Getty Images
Share this:
Yogurt: Reach for a yogurt with live active cultures to give your gut the boost it needs to work smoothly, eliminating bloating--just avoid the pots loaded with added sugars.
Anti Bloating Foods Cantaloupe

Getty Images
Share this:
Cantaloupe: You can probably guess that the water content of this sweet summer fruit is perfect for your tummy, but it’s also a winner in the potassium department.
Anti Bloating Foods Kimchi

Getty Images
Share this:
Kimchi: Fermented foods like this Korean staple--which is becoming increasing available in grocery stores--boost good gut bacteria like yogurt to keep your belly flat.
Anti Bloating Foods Rosemary

Getty Images
Share this:
Rosemary: This fragrant herb isn’t just for adding flavor! Boost your digestion and flatten your belly by adding to soups or using it along with lemon to infuse water.
Anti Bloating Foods Asparagus

Getty Images
Share this:
Asparagus: We all know what his green veggie is famous for, but its oft-overlooked benefit is acting like a diuretic to flush that stubborn belly-clinging bloat from your frame.
Anti Bloating Foods Ginger

Getty Images
Share this:
Ginger: It’s been used for centuries to calm upset stomachs and nix nausea, but it’s also great for getting rid of gas. Yes, we said it. With that gone, your stomach will be flatter than ever.