Caffeine is an addictive stimulant, known to enhance alertness and performance. It affects brain chemicals responsible for memory, mood, energy levels, as well as hormones and enzymes essential for maintaining overall body health. While consuming too much caffeine should always be taken seriously, moderate amounts may prove safe in most situations.

At home-brewed coffee stores, an eight-ounce cup contains 100 mg of caffeine. Most adults can safely consume up to 400 mg daily – equivalent to four cups (945 ml). While it is possible that people often exceed this recommended limit without experiencing adverse side effects, many health conditions and medications can affect how your body processes caffeine so it is wise to consult your physician prior to increasing consumption.

Consumption of too much coffee may lead to heartburn, stomach irritation or insomnia for certain individuals. High doses of caffeine may also cause increased blood pressure and rapid heart rate for sensitive hearts; in such instances it would be wiser for these individuals to limit their consumption or drink decaffeinated coffee to reduce side effects.

Caffeine consumption can increase blood pressure and cause anxiety, headaches, trouble sleeping and palpitations for those already at risk for cardiovascular disease; however, recent research has demonstrated that for those with an average heart rhythm who consume three to five cups of coffee daily they are at significantly reduced risk for heart failure than non-coffee drinkers.

Other studies have linked moderate coffee consumption with decreased risks for Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, depression and suicide, gallstones kidney stones and overall mortality. The benefits appear to stem from its antioxidant content such as chlorogenic acid and quercetin as well as caffeine’s effect on metabolism and energy levels.

Though these studies are encouraging, they were all observational studies which only show a correlation between coffee consumption and certain diseases and conditions; they do not prove that coffee causes these outcomes directly; nevertheless, they should still be taken into consideration when planning your daily coffee intake.

Notably, excessive consumption of coffee may prove counterproductive when trying to lose weight as it can slow the digestive tract down and leave one feeling bloated or full. Furthermore, pregnant women should limit their caffeine consumption during gestation as caffeine’s effects on the central nervous system may harm fetuses; especially during their first trimester. According to NHS recommendations pregnant women limit their daily caffeine consumption to 200mg – roughly equivalent to two cups of instant coffee daily – since too much may interfere with some prescription drugs; pregnant women should consult their physician regarding concerns regarding caffeine consumption during gestation if concerned about this matter.