How Much Cold Brew Is Too Much?

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Coffee is a suitable beverage for all seasons. Though hot coffee is popular in winter, cold brew dominates the summer.

Cold brew is smoother, sweeter, and less acidic than other variations of coffee. Its mouth-watering taste makes it an excellent summer beverage.

Chances are, many cold brew fans can drink it frequently to satisfy their thirst in summer. However, drinking it now and then seems to be very unhealthy.

To avoid the harmful effect of caffeine, you must understand: how much cold brew is too much?

Please read the article carefully to know its answers and other relevant things.


How Much Is Too Much?

Too much cold brew coffee

The exact answer is that drinking more than two servings of cold brew a day is too much.

Let us explain how we determine the limit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that a healthy adult should not consume over 400 mg of caffeine daily. It means that caffeine more than this limit is harmful to us.

The limit applies to all types of caffeinated drinks. So, the best way to avoid excessive caffeine intake is to count the milligrams instead of the number of cups.

A standard cold brew serving from Starbucks (16 ounces) contains 200mg of caffeine. Now it should be much easier to understand. You can safely drink two servings of that size cold brew daily. But, going for the third cup means you will cross the healthy caffeine intake limit.

What Happens If You Drink Too Much Cold Brew Coffee?

If you drink too much cold brew, it can dehydrate your body. However, drinking it in moderation should not affect you.

Cold brew coffee is a highly caffeinated beverage. The diuretic effect of caffeine is the main culprit that can make you dehydrated.

It will force you to do more urination. As a result, you will lose excessive liquid from your body.

Chronic dehydration is threatening to our kidneys. Proper urination is crucial to wash salts, calcium, and uric acid away from the kidneys. But, dehydration intercepts the natural urination process.

If it goes on for a long, these minerals can create stones in your kidneys. Since excessive caffeine causes dehydration, do not drink cold brews more than the suggested limit.

Is Cold Brew More Caffeinated Than Espresso?

Caffeine in Cold Brew

Yes, cold brew has more caffeine than espresso. It is highly caffeinated, among other variations of coffee.

Many people think that cold brew and iced coffee are the same. It is wrong; iced coffee has less caffeine than cold brew.

You now can ask: why cold brew has more caffeine? The answer lies in its brewing process.

We know that cold brew is prepared without boiling. You have to immerse

the coffee ground in fresh water and wait for 12 hours at least to let the water absorb the flavor of the coffee.

Cold brewing requires more coffee grounds than hot brewing. Adding more coffee grounds to water means extra caffeine. That’s why cold brew is more caffeinated than espresso and other hot brewed coffee.

How Do You Tell If You’re Drinking Too Much Caffeine?

Caffeine, in general, is healthy for our bodies. But, it can be very harmful in the case of excessive intake.

Many people worldwide suffer from caffeine sensitivity. Doctors suggest them to limit their daily caffeine intake. If you think you are facing similar issues, you need to follow the same way.

Before taking the initiative to lower caffeine intake, you must ensure that you take it too much. But, how will you understand it?

You will notice some clear symptoms of too much caffeine consumption. The primary symptoms include trouble sleeping, heartburn, and anxiety.

Moreover, other symptoms caused by excessive caffeine intake are headache, irritability, frequent urination, thirst, and chest pain.

In such cases, you should limit drinking caffeinated beverages and meet a doctor if needed.

Is Cold Brew Coffee Safe?

Cold brew is very healthy similar to regular coffee. The only difference between the two types of coffee is their brewing process.

Unfortunately, cold brew contains high caffeine than other variations of coffee. Drinking more than the recommended limit will cause excessive caffeine intake, and you have to face many physical complexities. So, be careful if you are a cold brew fan.

We already have mentioned how much cold brew is safe to drink. If you suffer from insomnia and dehydration, drink it considering the safe limit.

One of the good things about cold brew is its less acidity. Many people may not enjoy coffee because brewed coffee causes acid reflux. But, cold brew is prepared without boiling. The process has no chance of over brewing, a common reason for excessive acid release in coffee.

So, cold brew is a smooth beverage for acid-sensitive coffee drinkers, without a doubt.

What Happens If You Drink Cold Brew Every Day?

There is nothing wrong with drinking cold brew every day. It is a less acidic beverage, very suitable for coffee enthusiasts with acidity. In contrast, cold brew contains the highest amount of caffeine among coffee. Let’s review the good and bad sides of drinking cold brew daily.

Benefits of Drinking Cold Brew Every Day:

  • The beverage assists in weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate.
  • Cold brew is effective in reducing depression and improving your mood instantly.
  • Compounds in cold brew keep blood sugar stable and reduce blood pressure.
  • Chlorogenic acid in cold brew prevents the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Several compounds in cold brew reduce the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
  • Cold brew is the best type of coffee if you have gastrological issues.

Side Effects of Drinking Cold Brew Daily:

  • Its heavy additives can cause a quick weight gain.
  • Too much caffeine in the cold brew harms people with high blood pressure.
  • Cold brew can worsen your cholesterol level.

Final Thought

Finally, it is clear that cold brew is highly caffeinated and can be harmful if drunk frequently a day.

Cold brew is an excellent summer beverage to provide sufficient liquid in your body. In contrast, it can also cause dehydration because of excessive caffeine.

The article has already mentioned a healthy limit for the question: How much cold brew is too much? So, you won’t face anything wrong unless you drink cold brew in moderation.

References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cold-brew-coffee-benefits/
https://www.homegrounds.co/how-much-coffee-is-too-much-coffee/


Author
Based in Millburn, NJ, I'm a passionate barista and expert roaster committed to the art of the perfect brew. I have a strong following of loyal customers who appreciate my expertise and friendly demeanor. In my free time, I'm experimenting with innovative coffee recipes and brewing methods to share with my community.

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