Do you love to start your day off with an espresso? Espresso is a unique kind of beverage. When consumed in moderation, it’s not all that bad – however, a large amount of espresso is dangerous and can even kill you! How much espresso will kill you if you are addicted?
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How Much Espresso Will Kill You?
The amount of espresso that will kill you largely depends on your physical build and genes. It takes about 10 grams of caffeine to kill an average build adult weighing 50 pounds. Since one shot of espresso has 63 mg of caffeine, this lethal amount is equivalent to 158 shots of espresso.
A healthy adult should limit their caffeine intake to 400 mg, which roughly equates to 5.2 shots of espresso per day. On the other hand, teens have a lower body mass and thus must limit themselves to 250mg of caffeine.
Espresso Healthy Limits
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that a safe daily caffeine intake is 400 mg per day for healthy adults. However, some experts suggest that these recommendations are too high and may not apply to everyone equally well.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends that adults consume no more than 300 mg of caffeine per day — about two cups of coffee.
Symptoms of Espresso Toxicity
Caffeine is a stimulant found in a variety of foods and beverages. It is one of the most widely used drugs globally, although it can also be dangerous if you consume too much.
Caffeine has several effects on the body, including increased energy levels, suppressing appetite, and improving mood. It’s also a diuretic, which increases the amount of urine you produce.
When consumed in high doses, caffeine can cause side effects such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Jitteriness
Managing Espresso Overdose
If you have overdosed on espresso, you should immediately call for emergency medical attention. You should also have someone drive you to the hospital because driving under the influence of caffeine can be dangerous.
In most cases of caffeine overdose, symptoms are mild and resolve within 12 hours with no lasting effects. More severe symptoms may require hospitalization and treatment with drugs that help decrease the absorption of caffeine from the gastrointestinal tract.
Espresso Health Benefits
A cup of espresso has more caffeine than a cup of coffee. The amount of caffeine in an espresso varies by bean and roasting method, although it’s about 50 to 60 mg per shot. A 12-ounce cup of drip-brewed coffee contains about 115 to 175 mg of caffeine.
Espresso has been shown to have many health benefits. It is high in antioxidants and helps protect against heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In addition, it can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and cancer and reduce inflammation in the body.
Caffeine can boost energy levels during exercise and improve muscle performance, according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). It may also reduce postexercise soreness after intense workouts by reducing inflammation in muscles and joints. Some studies also suggest that drinking caffeinated beverages during exercise may help people work out longer before becoming fatigued.
Espresso Death More Likely if You Have the CYP1A2 Gene
A study revealed that the CYP1A2 gene makes you more addicted to caffeine. The CYP1A2 gene is responsible for metabolizing caffeine, so people with the gene tend to be more prone to caffeine addiction.
The researchers looked at data from an international sample and found that those with two gene copies were more likely to be heavy caffeine users.
Related Questions
Are Eight Espresso Shots Excessive?
Eight espresso shots are excessive because that’s about 504 mg of caffeine. Ingesting this amount of caffeine can kill you is possible, although it would take a lot of non-stop coffee consumption and a lot of time. A safe amount of caffeine for adults to consume daily is 400 milligrams. That’s equivalent to about four cups of coffee or two cups of tea.
Is Espresso Less Healthy Than Coffee?
Espresso is not less healthy than coffee because there’s no difference between espresso and brewed coffee in terms of calories and fat. They’re both low in calories (about 30 per 8-ounce serving) and fat-free. The only significant difference is that espresso has more caffeine than regular brewed coffee (about double).
Is Espresso More Potent Than Filter Coffee?
Most specialty coffee shops prepare their espresso using a single-serve machine that produces about 30 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per ounce (oz.) of espresso. This works out to about 80 mg per 1-ounce serving or roughly 3/4 ounce. A standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee contains between 100 and 140 mg of caffeine.
Conclusion
How much espresso will kill you? The answer is 150 shots. However, health experts recommend not taking more than 400-600 mg of caffeine at a time (3-4 shots). It’s also important not to overuse energy drinks to make up the difference. If you decide to drink espresso, remember: it’s only good in moderation.
