How Much Coffee Would it Take to Kill You?
Coffee is a delicious and essential beverage for many people, with millions of us drinking it every day to get us through those early mornings. It was recently revealed that having 25 cups of coffee in one sitting could kill a person, so why could that much coffee be lethal?
What Amount of Caffeine is Lethal?
Caffeine, the active component found in coffee, is generally accepted to be safe for human consumption, as it takes far more than most people ingest for it to become dangerous. However, when caffeine is ingested in large doses, as is often seen with energy drinks, it can prove to be fatal due to cardiac arrest or seizures.
The lethal dose of caffeine is estimated to be between 10 to 14 grams, and studies suggest that this dose can be absorbed through the ingestion of ground coffee beans. While the average cup of coffee contains around 120mg of caffeine, some espresso shots contain around 80mg. So, it would take approximately 150 fluid ounces (1 gallon) of pure espresso shots containing 80mg of caffeine to reach the lethal dose of 10 grams.
How Can We Avoid Overdosing on Caffeine?
It is important to know your limits when it comes to coffee consumption. There are a few tips that can help you avoid an accidental overdose:
- Pay attention to your daily intake: According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, up to 400mg of caffeine per day is considered to be a moderate and safe amount for adults.
- Refrain from drinking energy drinks: Pay attention to the label and take care not to exceed the recommended daily limit of caffeine stated on the package.
- Be mindful of your environment: Before enjoying a cup of coffee, stay alert of your surroundings, as conditions such as fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep can all increase the risk of overdose.
- Know your limits: Our bodies differ, so what may be a safe amount for one person may not be safe for another, so it’s important to take note of how coffee affects our body and find out the limits that work best for us.
Conclusion
Coffee can be an enjoyable beverage, and it can be enjoyed without risking our health. As long as caffeine doses are kept within safe limits, it is unlikely that anyone will experience any negative side effects from it. However, if large doses are taken over a short space of time, the consequences could be severe or even fatal. So, it is important to be aware of your limits and take precautions to prevent an accidental overdose.
