FDA reference (healthy adults)

The FDA reference and its context are quoted below. Read these excerpts together with the linked FDA page.

400 mg/day reference for healthy adults

For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams* a day — that's about two to three 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee — as an amount not generally associated with negative effects.

Individual variation

However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they eliminate it from the body.

Heart conditions, other conditions, and medications

Certain conditions tend to make people more sensitive to caffeine’s effects, as can some medications.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are concerned about a condition or medication, or if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, we recommend talking to your health care provider about whether you need to limit caffeine consumption.

Children and teens

Medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of the levels of sugar and caffeine, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.*

Conversation with a health care professional

Talk with your health care professional about your child’s or teen’s caffeine consumption.

FDA source page · Retrieved October 28, 2026 · Cache: research/cache/fda-caffeine.txt

Review status: pending review by Dr