Caffeine lovers rejoice: The human body can safely handle an astonishing amount of coffee, according to a new statement from the American Heart Association.
Drinking up to five cups of black coffee each day appears to lower the risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart failure and heart disease. The latter is America’s top killer, accounting for over 919,000 deaths a year.
So it’s good news for the two-thirds of adults who drink coffee every day. Regularly consuming caffeinated beverages has also been linked to a lower risk of developing dementia and a reduced risk of cancer.
But consuming more than five cups – and exceeding the 400-milligram daily caffeine limit deemed safe by most experts – can be harmful to health, too, the association warned. Higher amounts may lead to seizures, sudden high blood pressure and breathing issues.
And beware of energy shots – which may contain 40-69 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce – between three and four times that of an eight-ounce cup of coffee.
“Energy drinks, bars, gels and caffeine-based supplements often contain other added ingredients that may increase the absorption of caffeine, may accelerate its effects on the body, may raise blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular harm,” the American Heart Association stated.
More research is necessary to investigate different health impacts of various types of caffeine products, the group added, noting that everyone responds to caffeine differently.
“What may be a reasonable amount for one person could cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disruption, in another,” Dr. Gregory Marcus, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, explained in a statement shared by the association.
“That’s why it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds to caffeine and talk with your healthcare team about what is right for you,” he said.
For some people, just a couple of cups of coffee can result in symptoms, like increased heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, nausea and upset stomach, headaches and the jitters, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
Toxic effects like seizures can occur when consuming around 1,200 milligrams, the agency says.
Fortunately, the average American only drinks around three cups a day – under the 400 milligram limit.