Educational information is not personal medical advice.

Caffeine does not affect everyone in the same way. A public reference value is not automatically a personal target or a guaranteed safe limit. Questions about symptoms, medical conditions, medication interactions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or strict caffeine avoidance should be directed to an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

• Age and body size
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Individual sensitivity
• Health conditions
• Medication or supplement use
• Total caffeine intake and timing of consumption

The FDA and the European Food Safety Authority cite 400 milligrams of caffeine per day as an amount that does not generally raise safety concerns for most healthy adults when consumed across the day. This is a population-level reference — not a recommendation to consume that amount and not a guarantee that every person will tolerate it.

Some people experience sleep disruption, anxiety, restlessness, digestive discomfort, headache, increased heart rate, or other effects at lower amounts. EFSA also notes that a single dose of 100 milligrams may affect sleep in some adults, particularly when consumed close to bedtime. The 400-milligram reference does not apply automatically to pregnancy, breastfeeding, children or adolescents, people especially sensitive to caffeine, or people whose health conditions or medication may affect their response.

Several recognised authorities use 200 milligrams per day as a pregnancy reference, while some national guidance uses a different limit. Caffeine from coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, energy products, supplements, and medicines all contributes to the daily total.

People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should follow applicable local guidance and discuss individual caffeine use with their doctor, midwife, pharmacist, or another qualified professional. Adult reference values should not be applied automatically to children or adolescents.

A cup is not a standard medical unit. The caffeine in a drink can vary according to the coffee and its composition, the amount of ground coffee used, serving size, brewing method, contact time, and number of servings consumed. Total intake may also include tea, chocolate, soft drinks, energy products, supplements, medicines, and other sources. A person assessing caffeine intake should consider the full day rather than coffee alone.

Decaffeinated coffee contains less caffeine than regular coffee, but it is not necessarily caffeine-free. People who need to avoid caffeine strictly should not rely on the word "decaffeinated" alone. They should review available product information and seek professional advice where avoidance is medically important.

Pure powdered caffeine and highly concentrated liquid caffeine are not comparable to ordinary coffee consumption. These products can be difficult to measure accurately, and a small measuring error may result in severe or fatal toxicity. The FDA advises consumers to avoid pure and highly concentrated caffeine products sold in bulk. Untold Coffee does not recommend using pure or highly concentrated caffeine.

Rapid or dangerously irregular heartbeat, severe confusion, seizures, or other sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms may require urgent medical attention. Anyone experiencing a severe or concerning reaction should stop consuming caffeine and contact local emergency services, a poison-control service, or a qualified medical professional immediately.

Caffeine figures published by Untold Coffee or BRU may be measured, supplied by a manufacturer, calculated from reference information, or estimated from a recipe. Where the distinction is material, the basis of the figure will be identified. An estimated value is not a laboratory guarantee. Caffeine information does not establish that a drink or product is appropriate for every person.

Health-related articles may explain research, compare public-health guidance, or examine possible relationships between coffee, caffeine, and health. Such content should not be interpreted as evidence that coffee or caffeine affects every person in the same way, prevents or treats a medical condition, or is suitable for a particular reader. Research findings may change, conflict, or remain uncertain.

This general disclaimer does not replace warnings attached to a particular product, caffeine information provided with a BRU drink, safety information within a relevant article, local food-labelling requirements, professional medical advice, or emergency care. Where a specific risk is relevant, the warning should appear where the reader encounters that information — not only on this page.

Health-related content prioritises current public-health authorities, recognised medical organisations, peer-reviewed research, and clearly identified evidence. Recommendations may differ between jurisdictions and can change as evidence develops.

• US Food and Drug Administration — Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
• US Food and Drug Administration — Pure and Highly Concentrated Caffeine
• European Food Safety Authority — Caffeine
• NHS — pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Health Canada — Caffeine in Foods

Last health-information review: 18 July 2026. Primary references: FDA (fda.gov), EFSA (efsa.europa.eu), NHS (nhs.uk), ACOG (acog.org), Health Canada (canada.ca).