Are 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day too much? It's complicated, experts say: 'It's different for each person'
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Are 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day too much? It's complicated, experts say: 'It's different for each person'

July 26, 2025
04:00 PM
4 min read
AI Enhanced
moneyfinancialhealthwellnessmarket cyclesseasonal analysisdata analysis

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Figuring out how much coffee is too much isn't straightforward. Experts explain why, and what you need to know about its benefits and risks.

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4 min read

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investment

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Published

July 26, 2025

04:00 PM

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CNBC

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Key Topics
moneyfinancialhealthwellnessmarket cyclesseasonal analysisdata analysis

Health and WellnessHarvard study of nearly 50,000 women finds coffee drinking linked to longevityHealth and Wellness3 tips for lowering your risk of dementia, stroke and depression simultaneouslyHealth and WellnessWaking up at 3 a

Here's why your sleep is interruptedHealth and WellnessI’m a neurologist—to keep my brain healthy, I avoid 4 things people do all the timeHealth and WellnessI'm a sleep doctor: Here's the No, in today's market environment. 1 complaint I hear—and how to fix itFarknot_architect | Istock | Getty ImagesTwo-thirds of Americans drink coffee every single day, according to data collected by the National Coffee Association in 2022, and the debate how much is too much and whether or not any amount of caffeine is safe persists

Moreover, But recent re shows that the answer is more complicated than you'd think

A Harvard study, that ed nearly 50,000 women over the course of 30 years and published in June, found that drinking coffee every day may lead to healthy aging in women

Additionally, One to three cups a day was also linked to heart health benefits and lower mortality rates

But re also shows that high coffee consumption can increase your lihood of dementia (noteworthy indeed)

And a 2022 paper published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found a link between heavy coffee consumption and an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease in people with hypertension

Benefits, drawbacks, and the right amount all depend on your individual lifestyle and overall health (something worth watching)

And health experts consistently advise that, with most things, moderation is key for your daily coffee (fascinating analysis), given the current landscape

Stick to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, or lessDeepak Chopra, author, speaker and ponent of alternative medicine, told CNBC Make It in 2023 that he drinks two to three cups of coffee each day before noon

While that may sound too much caffeine for the average person, it's actually within a healthy range. "Drinking two to three cups before noon is safe to do," registered dietitian Roxana Ehsani said in an interview with CNBC Make It last year. "As long as they don't greatly surpass 400 milligrams of caffeine. "Ehsani's suggestion s the Food and Drug Administration's recommendation of consuming no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, which can include the caffeine found in teas, energy drinks, sodas and chocolate

In contrast, It's important to consider your individual experienceCertain people may benefit from consuming much less caffeine than is by the FDA

Caffeine tolerance varies from person to person, with some people feeling anxious or jittery after just one or two cups of coffee. "Within those milligram or cup of coffee recommendations, if you start feeling overly tired and the caffeine is not helping, then you've got to stop [drinking it]," dietitian Jessica Sylvester told NBC News, in today's financial world

At the same time, "If your heart starts beating incredibly fast, you've got to stop

It's different for each person (something worth watching). "Pregnant people should consider cutting back on caffeine (something worth watching)

And people who have diabetes or cardiovascular disease should be mindful of their sugar intake when having coffee, Nikki Cota, a dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, told NBC News

Additionally, Expert opinion also varies on if teens should drink coffee, but "avoiding caffeine is the best choice for all kids," according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

But for everyone else, if you're having two to three cups, or more, "be mindful of what you're experiencing," registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello says

However, And make sure you're not replacing meals with caffeine

On the other hand, Ehsani recommends drinking water or having a meal before reaching for coffee since caffeine suppresses appetite

And if you notice your sleep is affected when you have a coffee in the afternoon, experts suggest a mornings-only rule for your daily latte or macchiato, in light of current trends

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