Did you know that coffee is one of the biggest dietary sources of caffeine, a psychoactive drug?
Here are some downfalls of having too much caffeine:
Caffeine dependence syndrome is a recognized diagnosis by the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems of the World Health Organization (ICD-11). According to ICD-11, caffeine dependence syndrome occurs after repeated substance use, having a strong desire to take the drug and an increased tolerance.
Furthermore, sub-classifications of caffeine addiction have been added into the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This allows caffeine intoxication and caffeine withdrawal to be classified as mental disorders when it interferes with our daily life.
So, how much is too much coffee?
“Overdosing” on coffee is rare and mainly only happens when consuming large amounts of caffeine from multiple energy drinks. A safe amount of caffeine consumption per day is up to 400 milligrams of caffeine as stated by HealthLinkBC. This equals to about four cups of coffee, depending on the amount of caffeine found in different brews or coffee beans.
Now what?
Looking at the research and being on the safe side, the golden amount will be three cups of coffee a day – maximum two in the morning and maximum one in the afternoon.
Reviewed by Annie Tsang, RD
