Caffeine:
How Much is Too Much?

Health pick-me-up or health hazard?

Some people want to be left alone before that first cup of coffee in the morning. For years people seemed to accept that as part of the American condition, but now more people are questioning the health aspects of caffeine. Is caffeine okay for you; and if so, how much?

Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Even the experts are uncertain of the answers to these important questions. And they've been seeking answers to those queries for quite some time.

Most of these studies attempt to link caffeine to a specific health concern, such as cardiac problems. The Framingham Heart Study begun forty years ago showed no link between heart disease and caffeinated-coffee drinking. Later studies attempted to focus in on coffee's relation to various demographic groups.

A Harvard Study of male health professionals found that caffeinated coffee caused no substantial increase in the risk of coronary heart disease. A 1990 study found that women who drank over four cups of coffee a day were 1.4 times as likely to have a heart attack. That same year, a study of Norwegian men found that the risk of heart disease increases steadily among men who drink over two cups of coffee a day.

Caffeine's Link with other Ailments

• Studies in the seventies seemed to link caffeine with certain types of cancers, though current information tends to question that.
• Caffeine can make it harder to control blood-sugar levels by changing the body's ability to tolerate glucose. This is of special concern to diabetics.
• Despite inconclusive research, the FDA suggests that pregnant women either avoid caffeine use or use it in moderation.
• Caffeine stimulates the activity of gastric juices. This can irritate ulcers and inflame the stomach.

What About Decaf?

Unfortunately, in many cases decaffeinated beverages do not prove to be a healthy alternative. For example, decaf contains substances that can cause stomach problems. A Stanford study found that three or more cups of decaf coffee a day can raise the levels of the so-called bad cholesterol. Ironically, regular coffee does not have the same effect on cholesterol. Heavy decaf drinkers have been found to have a slightly elevated risk of heart disease.

What to Do

There seems to be no general guidline as to how much caffeine is okay for you. Certainly a cardiac patient should check with his or her physician regarding caffeine intake. The American Dietetic Association does suggest limiting caffeine to about two cups of coffee a day. But that can be difficult to determine because caffeine can also be found in soft drinks, chocolate, tea, and over-the-counter medications.

Caffeine affects people differently, and if it makes you jittery, irritable, or anxious you might want to listen to what your body is telling you. People with a family history of hypertension should limit caffeine in periods of particular stress. Smokers or drinkers should also check with their physician to determine what effect caffeine might have with other substances they are putting into their bloodsteam. Persons with glaucoma ought to consult with their doctor to determine how much might be too much.

Healthy coffee drinkers can take heart in knowing that most experts would give their habit the okay. As with many other things, moderation is the key.