When asked if a cup of coffee is healthy or dangerous. The answer depends on who you ask. It can be a wonderful beverage or an addictive poison.

Coffee is actually a complex beverage containing hundreds of bioactive compounds. In fact for many it is a single biggest source of antioxidant intake by a person.

Studies also reveal that person in taking coffee regularly has a lower risk of diseases like type two diabetes, neurological disorders, depression, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and many liver diseases.

However something good doesn’t necessarily mean the whole lot is necessarily better or you can say safe,

So the question here is how much is too much?

Let’s find out…   

How Much Caffeine is in a Cup of Coffee?

The most active ingredient in a cup of coffee is caffeine. Which is also the most psychoactive ingredient consumed in the world. The count of caffeine present in a cup of coffee is highly variable ranging from 50 to 400 plus mg of caffeine per cup.

A small cup of coffee brewed at home can have 50 mg of caffeine where as a large 16 oz Starbucks grande can have more than 300 mg of caffeine.

There are several sources and studies suggesting that 400 mg or 4 cups of coffee are safe for most healthy adults. 

Short Term Symptoms of Coffee

When we are drinking coffee regularly there is both long term as well as short terms health symptoms. If you drink too much coffee in a short amount of time, you will experience symptoms mostly related to your brain and digestive system.

Some short term symptoms are:

• Restlessness.

• Anxiety.

• Dizziness.

• Upset stomach.

• Irritability.

• Insomnia.

• Fast heartbeat.

• Tremors.

If you suffer symptoms like this then it means you are sensitive to caffeine and you should immediately cut the intake of coffee in your daily routine.

Studies show Coffee can help increase your Longevity

A groundbreaking study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in the year 2012, looking at 402,260 individuals between 50 and 71 years of age.

The graph below shows the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of dying during the 12-13 year study period: 

By the above graph you can make out the sweet spot of coffee consumption everyday is 4 to 5 cups of coffee.
So the take home message here is that for some the safe amount of consumption is 4 to 5 cups for others it can increase depending upon their tolerance. So if you love drinking coffee then there seem to be no reason to discourage it.