Health Are four cups of coffee a day healthy?

Experts are studying the effects of coffee consumption
There have been contradictory statements about the consumption of coffee in the past. Researchers have now found that consuming up to four cups of coffee a day is not harmful to human health.

In a review of more than 740 studies, scientists from the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) found that people can drink four cups of coffee a day without fear of adverse health effects. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology".

Many people like to drink coffee. The caffeine in coffee has a stimulating effect and allows consumers a bright start to the day. Researchers are now investigating whether consuming four cups of coffee a day leads to negative health effects. (Image: dimakp / fotolia.com)

How much coffee should we take at most a day??
The experts found in their research that daily consumption of 400 milligrams of caffeine (the equivalent of four cups of coffee) is not harmful. This amount has long been considered the recommended upper limit of adult consumption. As long as this amount is not regularly violated, there is no need to worry about consumption, the doctors say. It also became clear that pregnant women should take a maximum of 300 milligrams a day (the amount equals three cups of coffee).

Negative effects of caffeine
Caffeine is able to reduce inflammation and increase brain function. On the other hand, caffeine is also associated with heart disease and dementia. Coffee is the most widely available and widely used psychoactive substance in the world, explain the authors. Caffeine is also known to cause anxiety or make anxiety worse.

What is influenced by caffeine?
To determine the exact impact of coffee consumption on health, experts reviewed several studies published between 2001 and 2015. They found five effects of caffeine on their health. Caffeine affects acute toxicity, bones, heart, brain and reproduction.

Future research will build on the results
The findings of the study could provide valuable evidence to support the development and conduct of future research on the safety of caffeine, say authors. The full transparency with which the data was shared will hopefully encourage other researchers to build on this work.

European Food Safety Agency warns against too much caffeine
In the EU, there are guidelines for the consumption of caffeine from the year 2015. These advise to a daily limit of 400 milligrams. The European Food Safety Agency warned those who crossed these borders that health problems could result. Excessive intake of caffeine during pregnancy can also cause babies to be underweight at birth. Too much coffee can also cause a miscarriage and there is a potential link with birth defects, the scientists explain.

Which other drinks and foods contain a lot of caffeine?
Of course, coffee is not the only drink or food that contains caffeine. For example, the average cup of tea contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine. A can of the energy drink Red Bull even contains 80 milligrams per can. A bar of dark chocolate contains up to 50 milligrams of caffeine and even milk chocolate can contain up to 25 milligrams of caffeine, the researchers report. Cola is often perceived as a drink with a very high caffeine content and this contains only 30 milligrams per can, the authors continue. (As)