If you were ever wondering how many espresso shots can you have in a day this article will help you out.
While many coffee lovers enjoy the energizing effects of a shot or two of espresso, others may wonder how much is too much.
In this article, I’ll give you practical recommendations for safe and enjoyable espresso consumption.
How Many Shots of Espresso a Day is Healthy
The standard serving size of a shot of espresso is 1 ounce (30 ml).
Read more: Have you ever wondered why are espresso cups so small?
Despite its small size, a single shot of espresso contains about 76 mg of caffeine on average. Double espresso contains around 140 mg of caffeine (the exact caffeine content can vary depending on factors such as the type of coffee beans or roast level) according to the University of Florida College of Medicine
The safe daily caffeine intake can vary slightly depending on the country and specific health guidelines.
Most of them state that taking up to 400 mg of caffeine on a daily basis does not rise any concerns for healthy adults (such as FDA in the US or EFSA in Europe)
If we do simple math you can see that theoretically, you can safely drink up to 5 single shots of espresso or 2 shots of double espresso
Read next: How to drink a shot of espresso?
| Espresso type | Caffeine per cup | Safe limit (cups) |
| Espresso | 76 mg | 5 |
| Double espresso | 140 mg | 2 |
| Starbucks espresso | 58 mg | 6 |
| Ristretto | 63 mg | 6 |
| Lungo | 65 mg | 6 |
Have in mind that these are general guidelines, and individual tolerance to caffeine can vary depending on factors such as age, sex, body weight, genetics, and overall health.
Additionally, pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions may need to limit their caffeine intake further.
As always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine what’s safe and appropriate for you.
How Many Shots Of Espresso Is Dangerous
Drinking more than 5 espressos a day and going over the safe limit of 400 mg of caffeine per day can be dangerous and can lead to potential health risks.
So what are the risks of exceeding the RDA of caffeine regularly? According to Healthline consuming too much caffeine can lead to:
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- increased thirst
- insomnia
- headache
- fever
- irritability
Now you know what happens if you drink too many espresso shots but can going over the limit cause death?
How Many Shots Of Espresso Can Kill You
According to the research of Jane V. Higdon and Balz Frei from Oregon State University, the lethal dose of caffeine is estimated at 100–200 mg/kg of body weight.
CDC states that the average weight of a man is 199.8 lbs (90kg) and a woman is 170.8 lbs (77.5kg) which means that 7750 to 9000 mg of caffeine intake can cause death.
So how many espressos can kill you? You would need to drink at least 103 cups of espresso in one day (which means 4 cups an hour for 24 hours)
Let’s be realistic. It is highly unlikely that a normal healthy adult can consume enough espresso shots to cause death from caffeine overdose alone.
Some Other Question You May Have
How Many Shots of Espresso Will Keep Me Awake
If you’re looking for a quick boost of energy and stay awake for an extended period, consuming one or two espresso shots may be enough to achieve the desired effect.
It’s important to pay attention to how your body feels and avoid drinking too much caffeine as it can make you feel jittery or anxious.
What Happens If You Drink 10 Shots of Espresso
Drinking 10 shots of espresso equals 750mg of caffeine which is almost double the recommended daily intake. This can lead to a potentially dangerous overdose of caffeine that may have side effects such as restlessness and nervousness, high blood pressure, or sleep disturbances
My Final Thoughts
So now you know how many espresso shots you can have in a day, what are the safety limits and what can happen when you overdose
Espresso is a popular coffee drink that can provide a quick boost of energy and enjoyment.
However, it’s important to consume espresso in moderation and within safe limits to avoid negative side effects and potential health risks. Fortunately now you know how many espresso shots you can have in a day.
I am usually drinking 2 to 3 espressos per day. How many are you?
