25 Subtle Signs You’re Drinking Way Too Much Coffee

25 Subtle Signs You’re Drinking Way Too Much Coffee

If you’re like most Americans, your day hasn’t started until you’ve had your first cup of coffee. In fact, according to the National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Drinking Trends annual report, 64 percent of Americans have a coffee habit, and drink the stuff on a daily basis. And their ranks continue to grow—that number is a seven percent jump from just two years earlier.

However, as coffee consumption continues to increase throughout the United States, so does the number of individuals who are feeling the effects of overdoing it. While the risk of an actual caffeine overdose is so low as to be statistically insignificant—just 51 have been reported over a 58-year period—there are frequent side effects that stem from overconsumption that even those attuned to their bodies can easily miss.

“The effects of caffeine are individualized, so it’s best to assess on a case-by-case basis where exactly the tipping point is where caffeine may provide beneficial effects and where it creates diminishing returns,” says Ariane Hundt, MS, a New York-based clinical nutrition coach and fitness expert, who suggests that those who are experiencing more than just alertness from their usual cup of joe might be overdoing it. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 20 subtle signs you’re drinking too much coffee, from the mildly concerning to the seriously dangerous.

1. You bruise easily.

If you’re feeling weak, suddenly bruising easily, or find yourself more lethargic than normal, your coffee habit could be to blame. “Coffee inhibits the absorption of iron,” says Hundt. Over time, this can lead to iron deficiency, or even anemia, if left untreated.

2. Your heart constantly races.

When your heart races, say, in the presence of your crush, that’s not a bad thing, but when it’s a daily feeling, it could be the result of your coffee habit. Caffeine has been known to trigger heart palpitations, meaning that a second cup of cold brew could be the reason behind a sudden flutter in your chest.

3. Your belly’s getting bigger.

While minor caffeine consumption has been linked to weight loss, overdoing it could put you at risk for a widening waistline. In fact, according to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, drinking five or more cups of coffee a day can actually increase your risk of developing excess belly fat.