What’s the Recommended Daily Caffeine Intake for Women? Facts & FAQ

Caffeine is absorbed by the body fairly quickly, and for most people, this can be in as little as anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes after consuming it. Everyone’s body responds differently to the effects of caffeine. Many factors that influence this include gender, age, size, frequency of consumption, and general state of health.

The FDA does have recommended daily limits for caffeine consumption, as it’s classified as a stimulant. So what is the recommended daily caffeine intake for women? The FDA does not specify a caffeine limit for women, but the daily recommended caffeine intake for healthy adults is 400 mg.

Is There a Daily Recommended Caffeine Intake for Women?

The FDA does not have a daily recommended caffeine intake for women specifically. However, the daily limit for adults is 400 milligrams (mg) per day. This equates to about 4 cups of regular coffee. They also recommend limiting caffeine consumption for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from any heart-related conditions during their pregnancy (including preeclampsia).

The effects of caffeine can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours or more, and if you experience any side effects such as headaches or anxiety, you may want to scale things back and avoid caffeine over the next few days.

Signs of Too Much Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that’s naturally found in the fruits and leaves of summer plants. This is why it naturally occurs in green and black tea, coffee, guarana (a popular energy drink additive), and cocoa. It increases the activity in your nervous system and brain, as well as your adrenaline and cortisol levels.

In small doses, it can make you feel completely focused and refreshed. However, large doses of caffeine can have negative effects, such as insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue.

If you believe that you’ve consumed too much caffeine, it’s best to take it easy for the rest of the day and just let the caffeine run its course through your body.

Can Caffeine Cause An “Overdose”?

There really isn’t such a thing as a caffeine overdose, as it’s not qualified as a substance, but more of a stimulant. However, too much of anything can be bad for you and though it’s rare for someone to have life-threatening issues related to overconsumption of caffeine, it is possible. There have been reported cases of heart-related deaths surrounding energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.

How Do You Know How Much Caffeine Certain Foods & Drinks Contain?

Packaged foods and drinks, and even dietary supplements will typically have the caffeine content listed on the nutrition label. And you should be wary of any products that claim to provide an energy boost that doesn’t have this listed on their label. However, the caffeine content in products such as green or black tea and cocoa-based products won’t usually be listed on the label, as it’s fairly negligible.

Does Decaffeinated Coffee Contain Any Caffeine?

Yes. You may be surprised to find that decaffeinated coffee and teas actually still contain caffeine. However, the amount in these products is usually anywhere from 2 to 15 mg per 8 oz cup, which is pretty insignificant. But, if you have strong reactions to caffeine, you may want to avoid these drinks altogether.

Can Children Consume Caffeine?

Many Health experts would warn against providing children with caffeinated products unless given the “ok” by a physician. And at the moment, the FDA doesn’t have a set limit for caffeine consumption by children. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages providing children and adolescents with stimulants, including caffeine. It’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider regarding your children’s caffeine consumption.

How To Cut Back On Caffeine With Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you’re seeking to reduce your caffeine consumption and are worried about the negative side effects, note that there are ways to wean yourself off of the stimulant without experiencing these symptoms. For example, consider cutting your caffeine consumption in half every day and doing that for a week or two until you eventually wean yourself off of it. You can also try switching to decaf coffee or tea instead of your usual caffeinated blend.

Conclusion

The FDA recommends that women consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine on a daily basis. Increased caffeine consumption can cause negative side effects such as fatigue, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming large amounts of caffeine within a short window, you may want to consider limiting yourself in the future.

Featured Image Credit: Bogdan Glisik, Pexels