Adults should not drink more than four espressos daily

More than four strong espressos or other comparable caffeinated drinks should not be consumed per day. More of the stimulant caffeine can harm your health. Researchers from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have identified this. About 400 milligrams of caffeine per day are "safe" according to the study. An espresso contains about 70 to 100 milligrams.

Study comparison on behalf of European countries
EFSA has published a Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, in which it estimates acute and daily doses that are safe for the healthy general population. The report also includes recommendations on the consumption of caffeine from all food sources in combination with physical activity and on possible risks of caffeine consumption along with alcohol, other substances contained in energy drinks and synephrine, a substance increasingly found in dietary supplements.

Not more than four cups of espresso per day. (Image: grafikplusfoto / fotolia)

When consumed by humans, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, and at moderate doses increases alertness and reduces fatigue. Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in plant parts such as coffee and cocoa beans, tea leaves, guarana berries and kola nuts. "The threat to health is not huge, but it does exist," said an EFSA spokesperson. "The most important message is that consumers need to consider the different sources of caffeine besides coffee," he said. In addition to coffee, certain teas, cola drinks and, above all, energy drinks also contain the stimulant.

The final evaluation took into account a large number of feedback from Member States, consumer organizations, industry and other interested parties. These were done u.a. during a two-month online consultation and stakeholder meeting in Brussels.

It is the first time that the risks of caffeine from all food sources are assessed at EU level. Previously, a series of risk assessments were carried out by national and other relevant bodies around the world, which were thoroughly analyzed by the EFSA working group.

The European Commission had asked EFSA for its assessment after a number of Member States raised concerns about the health effects of consuming caffeine, especially with regard to cardiovascular disease, central nervous system effects (for example sleep disorders) or increased anxiety) as well as possible health risks for fetuses in pregnant women.

For the preparation already known data were evaluated. It showed that the threshold for safety in young adolescents is three milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight. These are, for example, two glasses of coke with 150 milligrams each, if the teenager weighs about 50 kilos. Pregnant women should take a maximum of 200 milligrams of caffeine (2 espressos), so they do not endanger the unborn child.

Too much coffee: anxiety and tachycardia
People who consume 400 to 500 grams of caffeine as an adult in just a short period of time can quickly experience inner restlessness, anxiety, nausea, dizziness and palpitations. This is especially possible for people who otherwise rarely drink coffee. (Sb)