QUIZ: How much caffeine do you have in a day?
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How much caffeine is too much? Take our quiz to find out about how much caffeine your consuming and how it could be affecting you.
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- QUIZ: How much caffeine do you have in a day?
Australia is a nation of coffee drinkers. Around 75% of us drink at least one cup a day and 1 in 4 coffee drinkers state that they cannot survive without it.
While caffeine can certainly help with a short burst of energy and concentration, you can have too much of a good thing.
So how much is too much ? And do you know how much caffeine you're consuming every day?
Take this quick quiz and find out 👇
How much caffeine is too much?
The definition of ‘healthy’ caffeine consumption varies from individual to individual, and that’s because we each react to caffeine slightly differently.For some, a minimal amount of caffeine results in headaches and anxiety. Whereas for others, caffeine triggers fewer noticeable side effects.
As a general rule, however, a healthy adult can consume up to 400 mg a day without expecting to have an adverse effects. That’s around two standard espressos, four cups of tea, or about four instant coffees.
For pregnant women, this recommended amount is even lower. Just 200 mg or less. That equates to one espresso coffee or to two cups of tea.
Do I need to cut back?
If you’re drinking more than 400 mg a day, or if you’re suffering too many negatives symptoms from the amount of caffeine you consume (even if it’s far less than two standard espressos) – such as anxiety, sleeplessness, increased heart rate and trembling hands – then, yep, cutting back will do your health favours.How to cut back on caffeine
Caffeine isn’t considered ‘addictive’, though it is thought to be ‘habit forming’. This sounds mighty confusing. But what this term means is that eventually caffeine consumers crave more caffeine in order to experience the same effect- such as feeling more alert for example.To succeed in cutting back, reduce caffeine from your system gradually. This gives your nervous system time to adapt to functioning without the drug – without shocking your body too much.
Also be aware of withdrawal symptoms like tiredness, crankiness and headaches.
Finally, try substituting caffeine with an uplifting herbal tea, such as peppermint, liquorice, hibiscus or ginseng.
If you want to keep caffeine as a buddy but perhaps not as a best friend, then take heart from the fact that, in some forms, caffeine can bestow benefits to your wellbeing.
As naturopath Leanne McClean says: “If you love coffee and you don't appear to experience any adverse effects, one coffee a day is unlikely to pose any threat to your health. Coffee contains antioxidants and its caffeine content can improve mood.”
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