Drinking coffee daily can provide energy and alertness boosts, but too much caffeine may lead to problems like insomnia, nervousness, stomach irritation and rapid heartbeat. Individuals sensitive to caffeine should either avoid it altogether or limit their consumption to a single cup per day at most.

Experts generally consider up to 400 milligrams (roughly four 8-ounce cups) of caffeine per day safe for healthy adults, though this threshold may change if pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive or taking medications (including anti-anxiety medicines) that interact with caffeine.

Your choice of coffee beverage has an effect on its healthfulness; instant or flavored varieties tend to be healthier than espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos due to variations in water usage, bean type and roast, preparation method and caffeine content – typically, regular coffee typically contains around 90mg while double espresso or salted caramel mocha can have up to 200mg!

Coffee also contains calories, but its preparation makes an impactful statement about how many are consumed. For instance, adding milk, sugar and syrups or cream can significantly increase caloric consumption and may contribute to weight gain. If you’re an avid coffee consumer it would be wise to go for plain coffee without extra ingredients added such as these.

Studies involving large populations show that those who drink several cups of coffee per day may have lower risks of high blood pressure and liver disease compared with those who don’t drink any or drink excessively; however, further investigation will be necessary in order to see whether coffee really does lower these risks. A randomized trial should be performed in order to test this theory and confirm it’s benefits for humans.

Coffee not only offers heart health advantages, but can also aid in the prevention and reduction of depression as well as inflammation from conditions like Crohn’s and diabetes. Furthermore, drinking coffee regularly may increase alertness and cognitive performance.

Patients often ask me whether they should stop drinking coffee and how much caffeine is too much. My response: Moderate coffee drinking should be fine for most, although everyone’s tolerances differ; if they consume three or four cups a day and avoid other sugary beverages like juices or sodas then perhaps cutting back would be wiser.

If you have a medical condition, always consult with your physician prior to making changes in diet or medications. Caffeine can interact negatively with some conditions such as high blood pressure, ulcers and certain herbal supplements; and can interfere with some antidepressants and sedatives which could make them less effective or increase symptoms. Your physician can offer personalized recommendations tailored specifically for you and your individual health history; speaking to a pharmacist could also provide helpful insight regarding which dosages of medications interact with coffee as well as the potential interactions.