8 Common Coffee Myths: Is Coffee REALLY That Bad For Me? (2025)
Fact: About 73% of Americans drink coffee every day. That’s 252 million people.
Does this suggest that 252 million Americans who consume coffee are putting themselves at risk? Definitely not!
People everywhere are still buzzing about the classic question, "Is coffee bad for you?" It’s a topic that keeps coming up and stirring up all kinds of discussions and doubts.
When it comes to your morning coffee, the situation isn't as clear-cut as you might expect—it's kind of a mixed bag. How your body reacts to caffeine and how much you take in really makes a difference.
Is 2 cups of coffee a day bad?
No, drinking 2 cups of coffee isn’t bad for you. For most healthy adults, having up to 400 mg of caffeine each day is usually safe and doesn’t come with negative effects. This means you can enjoy 2 to 3 cups of coffee, each being 12 fluid ounces, every day.
However, the caffeine content can change based on the kind of coffee you pick. So, for example, espresso has about 60-75 milligrams of caffeine, instant coffee comes in at 82 milligrams, and brewed coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine.
Now that we know what “moderation” means, let’s debunk coffee myths so you can enjoy your morning cup worry-free!
Myth 1: Coffee Is Bad For Your Health
A lot of people are concerned that caffeine might cause osteoporosis. But if you take a closer look, it turns out you usually need to consume more than 400 milligrams a day to actually see those effects.
People usually drink about 200-300 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is roughly 2-3 cups of coffee.
So, when you think about whether coffee is bad for you, people have different takes on it. Having a moderate amount of coffee can be good for you, but if you go overboard, it might cause problems like a racing heart, feeling anxious, and messing up your sleep.
Also, people react differently to caffeine, and some might feel negative effects even with smaller amounts.
Myth 2: Coffee Is Addictive
Caffeine is a stimulant that can lead to physical dependence and addiction. While moderate coffee consumption can help increase alertness, especially in the morning, regular use can result in the development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.
If you decide to stop drinking coffee abruptly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability, which can last for several days to a week or more. To minimize these symptoms, it's recommended to gradually reduce your caffeine intake over a period of time. Eventually, your body will adjust to the change, and you can find a new routine that works for you.
It's good to be aware of the potential risks of caffeine addiction and to consume coffee and other caffeinated beverages responsibly.
Myth 3: Decaf Coffee Is Caffeine Free
Decaf can make it seem like all the caffeine is gone, but that's not really true. It just means it's been cut down.
The FDA says that to be called decaf, over 97% of the caffeine in green coffee beans has to be taken out, but sometimes the caffeine levels can vary from one cup to another.
If you deal with a lot of acid reflux, your gastroenterologist's goal is to cut back your caffeine intake, but not completely eliminate it. Also, it may not be what you want to hear, but cutting back on caffeine may help your anxiety if that is something that you struggle with.
Good To Know: Decaf coffee usually has about 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup.
Myth 4: Caffeine Dehydrates You
Coffee does not dehydrate you enough to have a major negative effect on your health.
Caffeine is a mild diuretic. If you take in around 300 milligrams of caffeine, you might notice a small increase in your urine output—about 4 fluid ounces—but it's not a huge deal. Drinks with caffeine, like coffee and tea, have water in them, which can help balance out the fluid loss from caffeine's diuretic effects.
After having some caffeine, it's pretty common to feel thirsty, especially if you’re mixing in extras or if there’s a bunch of sugar in it. You might find yourself feeling thirsty, and it’s not just the caffeine that’s behind that feeling. It could be the other ingredients in the drink that are contributing to it.
We all get thirsty sometimes, right? It might just be that you're not drinking enough fluids. A cup of coffee just isn't going to cut it. It's best to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids during the day.
Myth 5: Coffee Causes Insomnia
Coffee may cause insomnia, but it can differ from one person to another, depending on how much coffee you’ve consumed and how close to bedtime you’ve consumed it.
So, it's tough to just say that you shouldn't have caffeine or coffee before hitting the hay. One of the reasons people can enjoy caffeine at all sorts of times during the day comes down to how our bodies process it, and that’s mostly influenced by our genetics.
Caffeine, as a molecule, sticks around for about five hours before it’s cut in half. So, after you drink that cup of coffee, about five hours later, you'll have roughly half of it still hanging out in your system.
If you drink a lot of caffeine, especially right before bed, it could mess with your sleep health. You might notice that you're getting less sleep each night or not as much of that deep, refreshing REM sleep.
Myth 6: Coffee Stunts Your Growth
Coffee does not stunt your growth. But there is one thing to keep in mind. Coffee MIGHT slow down your growth, but only in specific situations.
Coffee helps us stay alert. Drinking caffeine later in the day can mess up your sleep routine. If you're under 16, it's best to skip coffee after noon. Sleep disruption can ruin your growth hormones, so just drink decaf instead if you want it that bad.
Good To Know: When you check out how much caffeine teens usually take in, it tends to top out at around 80 milligrams a day. Any risks to your bones related to calcium or magnesium loss usually kick in when you go over 700 milligrams a day.
Myth 7: Coffee Sobers You Up
Coffee does not sober you up.
There is no quick fix to "sober you up." The only things that help lower your blood alcohol content are getting some good sleep and drinking plenty of water.
But drinks like coffee can help you feel more awake and make you seem "less drunk."
The best possible outcome of using the coffee tactic is a sort of speedball effect. It gives you that buzz from the caffeine, making you feel alert, but it does not change your level of intoxication. As a result, you may find yourself bumping into things as you walk faster than a drunk should.
If there's one good reason to drink coffee while intoxicated, it's to cover up the alcohol breath.
Myth 8: Coffee Causes Heart Disease
Research indicates that drinking coffee might lower the chances of developing certain types of cancer, including colon, head and neck, and breast cancer, as well as chronic liver disease and other inflammatory issues.
Coffee contains chemicals like caffeine that can help reduce inflammation, which means adding coffee to your diet can be good for you. However, if you take in too much caffeine, it can lead to adverse effects, such as anxiety, headache, and a faster heart rate.
It's important to talk about these recommendations with your doctor so you can make smart choices about how much coffee you drink.
Specialty Coffee is Healthier Than Regular Coffee
If you're that worried about the effects of coffee on your body, drink specialty coffee instead.
Specialty coffee offers potential benefits, like having less caffeine and more antioxidants. These could help reduce the chances of certain diseases and offer health benefits.
Why not kick things off with some Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee as your first specialty coffee? You're not just enjoying a top-notch cup of coffee; you're also exploring a whole range of unique and amazing flavors that regular coffee just can't compete with.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Myths
Why You Shouldn't Drink Coffee in the First Hour?
Drinking coffee right after you wake up can mess with your cortisol levels and throw off that natural cortisol awakening response. It's best to wait about an hour before having your coffee. This can help your body optimize cortisol production and steer clear of any health issues. However, results may vary from person to person.
Is Coffee Anti-Inflammatory?
Research shows that coffee has some compounds that might help with inflammation.
What Time of Day Should You Stop Drinking Coffee?
It's a good idea to skip coffee in the late afternoon or evening so it won't interfere with your sleep later on. When it comes to coffee, the best timing can differ from person to person. However, it's generally a good idea to cut off your coffee consumption at least five hours before you sleep for a better night's sleep.
How Many Times a Week Can You Drink Coffee Without Getting Addicted?
How likely someone is to develop a coffee addiction depends on the person. To keep from becoming dependent, it's best to enjoy coffee in moderation. Try to stick to about 3–4 cups a day and consider having some coffee-free days during the week to help avoid relying on too much caffeine.