Is there such a thing as too much coffee?

I love coffee. I crave it every morning. I crave it without fail. In fact, if I don’t crave it, I automatically start checking for other signs of distress–am I sick? I have to be sick if I don’t want coffee!

Non-WebMD irrational diagnosis aside, coffee is a staple each and every day. But that doesn’t mean I drink it all day. I may obsess over it, I am writing a blog on it, but it’s not the only thing I’m drinking.

My morning routine is a glass of water right when I get up. I read somewhere drinking water first thing in the morning helps with muscle activation and general health. I’m a runner so if I read something might help my morning run, I’ll try it. I have enjoyed one glass of water, first thing every morning, for about three years now. I love it.

Now, while I drink my glass of water, coffee is either brewing in the background or a plan for coffee on the way to work is being hatched. Starbucks today? Only if it’s Double-Star Day.

On most occasions, I drink about 3 cups when I use my coffee maker, two Keurig pods when I use my Keurig (8-10 ounce mugs), or 20 ounces if I grab something during my morning commute. Unless it’s a dire emergency, my intake is usually limited to about 24 ounces a day. On the rare occasion I may indeed need or crave more, but I try to limit my intake to 20-24 ounces regardless.

Coffee is a special treat. I don’t want it to lose its special place in my heart with overconsumption.

Coffee is caffeinated. I get the jitters when I drink more than my regular dosage. That’s not fun.

Coffee is a morning drink. It is a rare event for coffee to be consumed past 10 a.m., and it’s never consumed after 4 p.m. Otherwise, I may have trouble sleeping and I already have that issue–no need to aggravate an existing problem.

Of course, rules and routines are meant to be broken. So while I do my best to keep it to the morning, or keep it to 24 ounces, on occasion, I may just make or order some more. I mean, is there really such a thing as too much coffee? Not today my friends. Not today.