How much caffeine do you consume on a daily basis?
A large cup of Starbucks coffee contains more than three quarters of a person’s “safe” daily dose of caffeine, scientists have warned.
The 16oz “Grande” coffee also contains nearly double the recommended limit for a pregnant woman.
Individual factors such as gender and genetics can have an impact on tolerance levels so scientists stress that such statistical averages can vary widely, but we’re sure you’d be guaranteed a dose of the shakes after it…
Scientists also explain that women who take the contraceptive pill break down the caffeine at a much slower rate than those who aren’t, whereas smokers process the stimulant faster than non-smokers.
A study discovered that a person can have up to 400mg of caffeine a day without experiencing a negative effect such as anxiety or heart problems.
A 16oz Starbucks coffee has 330mg of caffeine, according to a table compiled by Chemical and Engineering News.
This is compared to an 8oz cup of brewed coffee, which contains 133mg, and an 8oz cup of instant coffee, which has 93mg.
University of Florida’s director of forensic toxicology, Bruce A. Goldberger, told Chemical and Engineering News: “People often don’t understand the potential risk of these beverages.
“Caffeine is a stimulant and, when consumed at high enough levels, can have negative effects.”
A fatal dose of caffeine is thought to be around 10g, equivalent to around 75 8oz cups of coffee or 120 cans of red bull consumed within a few hours.
Find out where your favourite caffeine drinks rate in this infographic.
