Many people can’t start their day without coffee, and for good reason. Studies have linked low to moderate coffee consumption to increased mental alertness and concentration, and research suggests it may reduce heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer risks as well as mortality associated with them. Given its widespread consumption, one may wonder how much coffee per week would be considered healthy.

As with many aspects of life, this depends on an individual. According to most health organizations around the world, adults may consume up to 300mg of caffeine daily – equivalent to roughly two 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee – without experiencing nervousness, irritability and high blood pressure symptoms. Expectant mothers are advised not to exceed 200mg per day as studies have linked exceeding this amount with miscarriage and low birth weight during gestation.

People looking to consume coffee moderately should choose either dark roast or decaf varieties as the ideal beverage, since those beans contain fewer chemicals than other varieties, giving you access to more beneficial compounds from each cup of joe. Furthermore, it’s wise only to drink black coffee; adding milk or sugar alters how caffeine is ingested and may counteract any positive benefits offered by this beverage.

Coffee can provide energy as well as antioxidants that have long been known to support overall health, including polyphenols which may help reduce inflammation and risk factors for diseases like cardiovascular disease. Studies have also demonstrated that drinking moderate quantities of coffee weekly can extend life expectancy while decreasing chances of conditions like type 2 diabetes and liver cirrhosis.

Studies have indicated that drinking two or three cups of coffee daily was linked with lower risks of stroke and heart failure as well as all-cause mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers. An analysis of UK Biobank participants also demonstrated that those who consumed more coffee had lower risks of cardiovascular disease mortality – specifically 7% reduction per cup consumed daily. Coffee drinkers tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in their bodies. No matter your personal taste, drinking more than two cups a day should not lead to increased caffeine tolerance and adverse side effects such as jitteriness and headaches. Furthermore, excessive coffee can dehydrate you quickly leading to dehydration and increased hunger; so remember to drink water while sipping on that cup of java!