Most adults can safely consume 400 milligrams of caffeine — or the amount in about four eight-ounce cups of brewed coffee or six espresso shots — per day, according to the Food and Drug Administration. If you’re pregnant, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends no more than 200 milligrams.
Keep in mind that cup sizes and coffee strengths can vary. A typical eight-ounce cup has about 80 to 100 milligrams, according to the F.D.A. But at Starbucks, a “tall” (12 ounce) medium-roast brew contains around 235 milligrams of caffeine — about the same amount as a triple shot of espresso.
Caffeine can also be found in certain teas, sodas, dark chocolates, headache medications and some energy and sport supplements.
For those who don’t drink coffee (I love the smell, but hate the taste), here are a couple of resources to gauge how your caffeine consumption fares in relation to the 400mg recommended limit.
For general beverages:
For name-brand drinks, ice creams, medications, etc:
I drink from a 20-oz. cup, and I’ll usually either have one “cup” of either black or green tea in the morning, another “cup” of green tea", and then another 1-2 “cups” of rooibos or herbal tea that doesn’t have caffeine.
Question for the scientific minds out there: The second link indicates that one tea bag of Celestial Seasonings English Breakfast tea will provide 60mg of caffeine. Am I correct in assuming that it’s the same 60mg whether that’s steeped in 8 oz. of water or 18 oz. of water? (Yes, I realize that the longer tea is brewed, the more caffeine will collect in the water.) Not my flavor, but I’m interested in the principle. 