Caffeine in the Workplace: How Much is Too Much?

Date: 16.07.2010

If you rely on a cup or three of coffee to kick your workday into high gear, you’re definitely not alone. Researchers at the University of New South Wales’ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) recently found that the average Australian consumes four cups of coffee a day, ranking it as the nation’s ‘top addiction’.

People have been exploiting the energising benefits of coffee for centuries, and despite some conflicting research results, most experts agree that moderate caffeine intake won’t adversely affect your health. But what constitutes ‘moderate’ when it comes to workplace consumption of caffeine-containing beverages like coffee, tea, and soda?

That figure differs for everybody, based on a number of factors, including age, weight, pre-existing health conditions, and innate sensitivity to caffeine. It might take a bit of experimentation to figure out what your optimal level of caffeine intake is. Here are some danger signs that you might be consuming too much of this workplace wonder drug.

• Insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns
• Tremors or shaking
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Anxiety or mood shifts
• Heart palpitations

If you have begun to experience any of these symptoms, it could be time to consider reducing your caffeine intake. To minimise the negative effects of caffeine withdrawals, systematically cut back your intake over time; for example, you could reduce your four-cup-a-day coffee habit over a period of three weeks by cutting back one cup each week. If you’ve reduced your caffeine intake and the adverse symptoms persist, it may be wise to check in with your physician.

How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?