Many people across the world jumpstart their day with a cup of coffee, or look forward to some afternoon tea – or both! Caffeine, overall, is safe in moderation, and helps give you a burst of energy you may need to get going. It is even used in a lot of headache remedies. But, like most things we consume regularly, there are pros and cons to caffeine.
The safe amount of caffeine per day has been reported as 400 milligrams. This equates to about four cups of brewed coffee or 10 cans of soda. This is not to say you need four cups of coffee every day, but you should not go beyond that amount.
Caffeine consumption is generally safe for adults, but can have unwanted side effects. Some people are overly sensitive to caffeine, and it impairs their ability to sleep later on at night. Some side effects of caffeine sensitivity include headaches, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, upset stomach, and a fast heartbeat. Caffeine can heighten anxiety in some people – whether or not they are prone to anxiety. So be cautious of how you are feeling when you have consumed a caffeinated beverage. If you’re feeling antsier than usual, maybe cut back and see how you feel without it.
Caffeine can poorly react with certain medications or with alcohol consumption, so beware of what you’re consuming along with caffeine. It’s also worth noting the high amounts of sugar found in a lot of caffeinated beverages. Drinking one can of some of the energy drinks below puts you well over your suggested sugar intake for the day. Further, combining high amounts of caffeine with high amounts of sugar may give you a quick boost of energy but it may be followed by an even heavier crash, and you may find yourself more tired than before the beverage. In fact, a lot of the “energy” drinks listed below actually have less caffeine than a medium coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, so really what they’re selling to you is a combination of unfamiliar chemicals and sugar.
Beverage | Caffeine Content | Sugar Content |
AMP Energy | 156 mg per can | 56 g |
Monster Energy | 160 mg per can | 54 g |
Rockstar Energy | 160 mg per can | 62 g |
Red Bull | 111 mg per can | 27 g |
Grande Starbucks Coffee | 330 mg | Depends on your order |
Medium Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee | 302 mg | Depends on your order |
Cup of tea | 27 mg | Depends on your order |
Shot of Espresso | 75 mg | None |
Chai Tea Latter | 95 mg | Depends on your order |
So, if you want a quick boost of energy in your day, stick to coffee or tea, so you can control the amount of sugar going in and reserve calories.
*Courtesy of: WebMD, and USDA