Can You Have Too Much Coffee?

As an avid coffee drinker, my answer is no. There are days when it seems like I just can't get enough caffeine, however the experts have some other opinions.
According to the Mayo Clinic staff, a moderate amount of coffee isn't harmful. They define moderate as 200-300 milligrams of caffeine a day or about three to four cups.
If you're like me and drinking four to seven cups or more, it can cause problems for some people. Four to seven cups, equals 500-600 milligrams of caffeine can cause mild problems like anxiety, headaches insomnia, nervousness, restlessness and irritability. It can also create health issues like nausea or other gastrointestinal problems, fast or irregular heartbeat or muscle tremors.
It sounds scary for someone like me who drinks a lot of coffee daily, but some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and some people build up a tolerance to caffeine.
Drinking a lot of coffee can lead to an addiction. WebMD labels it as a "mild physical dependence." So you're not going to go out and rob your neighbors to get your next caffeine fix, but it can cause some inconveniences if you don't get the necessary cup in the morning.
The most common symptom of withdrawal is the dreaded coffee headache, but it doesn't stop there. Other symptoms of withdrawal include fatigue, anxiety, irritability, feeling depressed and difficulty concentrating.
Unless you're like me and can literally drink a cup of coffee and still fall asleep, one of the most common symptoms of drinking too much coffee is insomnia.
It takes about 4-5 hours to eliminate half the caffeine from your body, 8-10 to eliminate 75 percent, so for most people, the morning cup of java shouldn't interfere with your sleep. However, if you're sensitive to caffeine, you should avoid drinking coffee for at least six hours before you plan on going to bed.
Not to sound like a television ad for the latest miracle drug, but if you're pregnant or nursing, have medical condition like high blood pressure, gastritis or ulcers, you should avoid caffeinated coffee.
Author Bio:
Mike Crimmins is a coffee fanatic. He's not your traditional coffee expert or barista. He's just your average joe, looking for that perfect cup of coffee. You can learn more about coffee at his blog http://dailyshotofcoffee.com/.
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