Key takeaways
- Most healthy adults can safely have up to 400mg of caffeine a day, but several large takeaway coffees can take you well over that.
- Caffeine content varies widely: Which? found a medium Costa cappuccino contained 325mg, against 89mg in a Starbucks medium cappuccino.
- In caffeine-sensitive people, caffeine can make the heartbeat more noticeable, contribute to palpitations and worsen anxiety.
- Moderate coffee drinking is generally considered safe for the heart, and decaf or smaller sizes are easy swaps.
Although UK guidance says most healthy adults can safely have up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day, some takeaway coffees contain a surprisingly large amount. If you drink several coffees a day, it’s easy to have well over double that.
For some people this causes unwanted side effects. Ever felt jittery, or noticed your heart beating harder and faster after a coffee? Caffeine could be to blame.
How much caffeine is in a high-street coffee?
Not all coffees are equal. Research by Which? compared the caffeine content of coffees from some of the UK’s favourite chains, including Costa, Caffè Nero, Greggs, Starbucks and Pret a Manger.
- A medium cappuccino at Costa contained 325mg of caffeine, roughly the same as four cans of Red Bull.
- A Starbucks medium cappuccino contained a much smaller 89mg.
- A Pret medium cappuccino contained 180mg.
- Pret’s single espresso contained 180mg, while a Starbucks single shot contained 45mg.
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How does caffeine affect your heart?
Caffeine isn’t inherently bad, but it is a stimulant.
“For this reason, it can have effects on both the cardiovascular and nervous systems,” says Dr Adam Haque, Co-Founder & Medical Director at Tomorrow Wellness. “In people who are particularly sensitive to caffeine, it can make the heartbeat more noticeable, contribute to palpitations and exacerbate feelings of anxiety. It can sometimes even create an overwhelming sense of impending doom.”
These effects often depend on the dose: higher amounts of caffeine can increase anxiety and potentially trigger more extra heartbeats.
Is coffee bad for your heart?
Not for most people. “Moderate coffee consumption is generally considered safe from a cardiovascular perspective,” says Dr Haque.
“Individual responses vary enormously. I’ve seen clients whose palpitations and anxiety have completely resolved simply by reducing their caffeine intake, or sometimes even by changing the type of coffee they drink.”
So it pays to know how much caffeine is in your coffee. If you have frequent palpitations, chest pain or breathlessness, speak to your GP.
How can you cut back on caffeine?
- Switch to decaf. You’ll still enjoy the taste of coffee without the anxiety and racing heart.
- Order smaller. “Try ordering smaller coffees and check the caffeine content before ordering,” says Dr Haque.
- Watch hidden caffeine. “Don’t forget, energy drinks, chocolate, tea, some fizzy drinks and certain supplements can also contain caffeine.”
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Photo: Ross Varrette on Unsplash.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is safe per day?
UK guidance says most healthy adults can safely have up to 400mg of caffeine a day. A single medium takeaway coffee can contain more than 300mg, so several a day can take you well over that.
Can caffeine cause heart palpitations?
In people who are sensitive to caffeine, it can make the heartbeat more noticeable and contribute to palpitations and anxiety, especially at higher doses. Speak to your GP if palpitations are frequent.
Is coffee bad for your heart?
Moderate coffee drinking is generally considered safe from a cardiovascular point of view, but individual responses vary. Some people find palpitations and anxiety ease when they cut back or switch to decaf.
Which coffee has the most caffeine?
In Which? research, a medium Costa cappuccino contained 325mg of caffeine, compared with 180mg at Pret and 89mg at Starbucks. Pret’s single espresso contained 180mg.