With coffee prices on the rise around the globe, some folks might be re-thinking their daily consumption. As you can see from this photo I love my coffee, especially when I take the time to make myself a frothy cappuccino dusted with cocoa. High coffee bean prices or not, I limit myself to two cups per day. More than two and I start to feel a little shaky…and no caffeine after 4 pm or I can’t sleep. I know this about myself and I don’t push my limits.

I sometimes get asked how much caffeine is okay to drink? The general conclusion is that unless your doctor has advised you otherwise, moderate consumption is the key for most healthy people. What’s moderate? The consensus of scientific opinion is that for most people, 300 milligrams, or about 3 cups of brewed coffee per day, is okay (bear in mind that the caffeine content of brewed coffee comes in a wide range as you can see in the chart below).

More than a hundred studies have focused on whether any association exists between caffeine consumption and high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, or coronary heart disease. Most of the research has concluded that moderate amounts of caffeine, as outlined above, are not associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but individuals who are sensitive to caffeine should consult their health-care providers about caffeine consumption.

Coffees

• Coffee, drip (8 ounces) = 115 – 175 mg
• Coffee, brewed (8 ounces) = 80 – 135
• Espresso/cappucino (2 ounces) = 100
• Instant coffee (8 ounces) = 65 – 100
• Decaffeinated coffee, brewed (8 ounces) = 3 – 4
• Decaffeinated coffee, instant (8 ounces) = 2 – 3

Tea

• Tea, brewed (8 ounces) = 40 – 60 mg
• Ice tea (8 ounces) = 47
• Green tea (8 ounces) = 15

Other

• Energy drinks (eg., Red Bull, SoBe Adrenaline Rush and Starbucks Double Shot) = 70 to 80 mg
• Selected caffeine soft drinks (8 ounces) = 10 – 55
• Hot cocoa (8 ounces) = 14
• Baker’s chocolate (1 ounce) = 26
• Dark chocolate (1 ounce) = 20
• Milk chocolate (1 ounce) = 6
• Chocolate-flavored syrup (1 ounce) = 4
• Caffeinated water (12 ounces) = 60 – 125
• Anancin or Midol (2 pills) = 64
• Excedrin (2 pills) = 130
• NoDoz (2 pills) = 200
• Over-the-counter diet pills, various brands (1 dose) = 8 – 200

Note: This information is from Eating for Lower Cholesterol: A Balanced Approach to Heart Health with Recipes Everyone Will Love.

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