Know your limits. The average intake for Americans is around 400 mg—or roughly four 8-ounce cups of coffee. Beyond that level, you may begin to experience negative side effects. Five cups is too much. Drinking 500 to 600 mg a day (about five cups), especially in one sitting, could have a severe impact on your health. Age matters. Adolescents and teens should drink less coffee: About one cup per day is the recommended limit.
A little is probably OK during pregnancy. Moderate coffee consumption—about one or two cups a day—is generally considered safe for pregnant.But, as always, follow your doctor’s advice. Listen to your body. If you start to experience problems as a result of drinking caffeine (e.g. jitters, lack of concentration, nausea), stop drinking it for the day. Your body will tell you a lot about your own limits. In general, if you’re a coffee drinker,4 cups/day is a good rule…
