If you’re someone who drinks coffee several times throughout the day, you may have often wondered how many shots of espresso are considered too many. Since the tasty beverages that include espresso are full of caffeine, it can be a little worrisome if you find yourself having more than one a day.
We are dealing with caffeine here after all, so it’s good to know that the FDA has put a recommended limit on espresso shots and caffeine in general. Moreover, it’s also important to know at what point the consumption of espresso can become lethal.
Don’t worry, we’re here to address all those important questions and more, so stick around!
What’s the Limit on Espresso Shots?
According to the FDA, it’s recommended that people don’t drink more than 400 mg of caffeine every day. Since espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine in each serving, it would mean that seven shots of espresso are too many shots for a whole day.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that espresso is all bad. There are actually quite a few health benefits that you can get from coffee. It can support heart and brain health, increase lifespan, and lower the risk of diabetes and depression.
However, the FDA’s recommended dose of caffeine of fewer than 400 milligrams every day, or 6 shots of espresso a day, does mean the health benefits stay within that limit as well.
How Many Shots of Espresso Does it Take to Kill a Human?
While the question may be a little off-putting, it’s an important one to consider. The more over the limit that you drink of espresso, the more dangerous it can become. In 24 hours, drinking about 76-156 shots of espresso can be considered a lethal dose this is equal to about 5-10 grams of caffeine, otherwise known as 5,000-10,000 milligrams.
Of course, everyone reacts differently to caffeine, as some people can get jittery after just drinking one cup of coffee. It also depends on things such as weight, the food you consume, and whether you’re more sensitive to caffeine than most people.
Caffeine Toxicity
Regardless, there is a general limit to how much caffeine you can consume before you experience a caffeine overdose. One of the symptoms of overdosing on caffeine is vomiting since your body is trying to get rid of what’s hurting you.
If you consume too much caffeine through something such as espresso, it can then cause adverse effects and even health issues. So, if you drink too much for too long, you can get a few symptoms, such as headaches, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, fever, upset stomach, and more.
Espresso Intake: Frequently Asked Questions
There’s a lot to know when it comes to espresso intake, so we’re sure you have plenty more questions and we’re here to answer them all.
How Many Shots of Espresso Do You Need to Wake Up?
While everyone is different, it generally takes about two or three shots of espresso, or 100-200 milligrams of caffeine, to wake up the average adult. This can vary with factors such as weight, sensitivity to caffeine, and daily routine, but most regular-sized lattes at coffee shops are made with at least two shots of espresso.
Is 7 Shots of Espresso Too Much?
Yes. Considering the FDA’s recommended limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, which falls under 6 shots of espresso, 7 shots would be too much to have in a day.
Can Espresso Cause Panic Attacks?
It is possible that if you drink more espresso than your body can handle, you may experience levels of anxiety, which can lead to a panic attack. That’s not to say that this will happen every time you drink espresso, or if you only drink a few shots, but depending on the person it can happen.
Is Espresso Worse For Your Stomach Than Coffee?
Actually, no. Because espresso has a shorter extraction time than regular coffee, it ends up being slightly less acidic. Moreover, most espresso blends are a medium or dark roast, and the darker the roast, the less acidic it is due to the roasting process.
Is Espresso Stronger Than Filter Coffee?
Not necessarily. If you look at just a single 8-ounce cup of drip coffee compared to a single espresso shot, the coffee has 116 milligrams of caffeine while the espresso has 63 milligrams per serving.
However, espresso is more concentrated and therefore a smaller serving than coffee, so it really depends on how much you’re drinking of each.
How Many Shots of Espresso Equals a Cup of Black Coffee?
If we’re looking at this question in terms of caffeine, then it would take about 1 and 1/2 shots of espresso to equal a cup of black coffee. Since the standard for most coffee shop lattes is around two shots of espresso, you would be getting a stronger beverage with a double-shot espresso-based drink.
So, with the daily limit of espresso standing at 6 shots, the limit for regular drip coffee would be around 4 cups of coffee per day.
What to Do In Case Of an Espresso Overdose
Depending on how bad the symptoms are of an espresso overdose, you may just need to drink lots of water and electrolytes, as well as deplete some of the energy you might’ve gained from the caffeine intake without overexerting yourself.
However, in a much more serious circumstance, you may need to seek medical help where they can treat you to make sure a lot of the caffeine doesn’t enter your gut.
Final Thoughts
So, to put it simply, it’s best to avoid drinking over 3 shots of espresso in a day, though the FDA’s recommended healthy limit is 6 shots, which falls under 400 milligrams. Depending on your sensitivity to caffeine, what you’ve eaten during the day, and your weight, you may react differently to different amounts of espresso.
While it does take quite a lot of shots of espresso to become fatal, it is very easy for other symptoms to take place once you get past the daily limit. Besides, one of the great things about coffee is all the health benefits it provides, so it’s best not to negate them by over-indulging in caffeine.
Happy Caffeinating!
