Espresso is a very popular coffee drink that you can make at home with a specialized machine or buy at your favorite coffee shop. Many people love drinking multiple shots of espresso throughout the day, sometimes drinking as many as four or more.
But many wonder: how much caffeine is in 4 shots of espresso?
The answer: Four shots of espresso have about 258 milligrams of caffeine.
Other questions espresso drinkers have are is espresso healthy, can I drink it every day, how much should I drink each day?
Well, we’ll cover all those topics and give you expert answers to your question, so you can alleviate any concerns. But first, let’s take a closer look at how much caffeine is in four shots of espresso.
In This Article
How Much Caffeine is in 4 Shots of Espresso?
Four shots of espresso have about 258 milligrams of caffeine (64.5 mgs per shot). By comparison, a standard cup of coffee usually has around 95-200 milligrams, depending on the brand and its brewing method. Note that the same variance is true of espresso. It may have more than 64 milligrams, depending on the brand or beans used in the process.
That smaller caffeine content typically means that a single espresso shot won’t wake you up as much as a cup of coffee. You’ll still get some caffeine benefits but simply not as much as you normally receive. That’s one reason why so many people drink two or more shots of espresso in the morning rather than a single. Doing so will give you the kick that you need to wake up comfortably. But are you putting your body at risk by drinking this much espresso? What kind of impact can it have on your body?
Caffeine Content Chart:
- 8 oz Cup of Coffee: 96 milligrams
- 1 oz Cup of Espresso: 64.5 milligrams
- 8 oz Cup of Black Tea: 47 milligrams
- 8 oz Cup of Green Tea: 28 milligrams
- 8 oz Cup of Cola: 22 milligrams
- 8 oz Cup of Energy Drink: 71.9 milligrams
Is 4 Shots of Espresso Too Much Caffeine?
Is the 258 milligrams of caffeine in four shots of espresso safe? That typically depends on a person’s body and their reaction to caffeine. Most doctors state that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is well within the accepted safety levels. More than that and people might start developing side effects, like a racing heart, trouble sleeping, a racing mind, and more.
Are 4 Espresso Shots Healthy?
Safe levels of caffeine may be not only healthy but good for your body. Itcan fight inflammation and help with focus, among other benefits. You receive these benefits when drinking within the safe limits of caffeine consumption or below 400 milligrams and closer to 200 or 300 milligrams.
But is it safe and healthy to drink coffee or espresso every day? Doctors claim that adolescents (people under 18) should drink no more than 100 milligrams a day, while pregnant women should only have 200 milligrams or less. Can the average person, even those who need lower caffeine levels, drink espresso every day? Let’s take a deeper look at this question to understand more.
How Many Calories are in 4 Shots of Espresso?
Espresso is typically lower in calories than coffee because it is more concentrated and served in a smaller cup. Typically, four shots of espresso has around 20 calories, which makes it decent for people trying to lose weight. But what about the caffeine content?
Frequently Asked Questions
A single shot of espresso typically contains around 64.5 milligrams of caffeine. That’s far below a typical cup of coffee but should be enough to wake some people up.
If you really want a pick-me-up, blonde espresso is even stronger than regular espresso. Or try Vietnamese Coffee…it has twice the caffeine!
Many people drink espresso every day without experiencing any negative side effects. Typically, a good double-shot (two brewed shots in one cup) is a great way to start your day. That gives you about 128 milligrams of caffeine, depending on your brand. That’s more than many standard cups of coffee and at a far lower calorie level. One double-shot like this can be a healthy way to wake up.
But drinking multiple double-shots can quickly add up to your caffeine content. Remember that 400 milligrams per day is considered the safety threshold for most people. You’ll hit this level at 6.25 espresso shots or just over three double-shots. As a result, it is a good idea to spread your espresso intake throughout the day, such as drinking a double-shot in the morning and with lunch.
After about five in the evening, it is best to stop drinking caffeine completely. A typical double-shot should give you 7-8 hours of extra energy and focus, meaning that drinking one at six in the morning should last to about two or three in the afternoon. A second double-shot at lunch would give you an energy boost until about seven or eight in the evening and keep you at about 258 milligrams for the day.
That level is worth about two and a half cups of 95-milligram coffee. Note that some coffee may have closer to 200 milligrams of caffeine per eight-ounce drink, meaning it is important to watch your intake. Always check your bag to ensure that your intake level is appropriate for your health. Otherwise, you might put yourself at risk of caffeine overdose or even damaging your body.
An espresso shot should wake you up if you’re tired because its caffeine content is still high. However, it won’t give you as much of a kick as a cup of coffee, which is why so many people drink multiple cups of espresso?
While four shots are well within the safety range, doubling up at eight would put you at over 500 milligrams of caffeine and could trigger health problems.
Espresso is strong because it has been pressurized with a specialized machine. This pressurization concentrates the coffee beans and their caffeine content to produce a very strong flavor with a higher caffeine concentration. This unique process originated in Italy and can be performed by a specialized (and costly) espresso machine at home.
Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is brewed from the same type of coffee beans you get from a standard cup of java. That’s one reason why espresso is served in such small cups. If you were to serve it in a full-sized coffee cup, the taste and caffeine would quickly overwhelm you. The one-ounce cups common with most espresso servings helps to ensure that you don’t experience any side effects and improves your drinking methods. It also helps you cut back on calories and control your diet more easily. That makes it easier for people on controlled-calorie plans to stay within their limits.
So espresso is basically a very strong type of coffee, one that can be used in many different drinks. For example, you can pour a shot of espresso into other similar drinks to produce richer flavor combinations. Adding a little milk or creamer to your espresso will give it a denser taste and texture. It can also smooth out some of its intensity and ensure that you feel comfortable with this drink. For example, some may mix espresso with hot chocolate or other drinks to produce a richer flavor.
However, drinking too much espresso is a real risk when drinking over four shots a day. As mentioned above, six shots is a health maximum and anything over that puts you over the 400 milligram threshold. While you won’t necessarily immediately go into a caffeine overdose if you drink seven or eight shots of espresso, your chances increase exponentially. This risk is far too high to tolerate for most people. Understanding these symptoms can help you spot them if you drink too many espresso shots.
Espresso lasts up to four hours. But it needs to be stored in an airtight container, and at room temperature. Your best bet is to drink your espresso within 2 hours. But for the best freshness, drink it right away!
One study found that coffee and espresso could be good for a person’s liver and even fight symptoms of common diseases, like hepatitis C. Note that too much (over 500 milligrams a day) could be damaging.
A caffeine overdose may not seem like a real threat, but like any overdose problem, it can be a real issue if it isn’t handled immediately and prevented from worsening. Typically, a caffeine overdose will trigger depending on a person’s caffeine tolerance and things like their body weight, metabolism, and more. Many symptoms are typically mild at first but can quickly worsen and become very troubling.
For example, you might start by feeling incredibly excited and find it hard to focus. That is a good sign that it’s time to stop drinking espresso and let your body metabolize the caffeine already in your body. Stopping drinking espresso right away may help stop your overdose or prevent it from worsening. However, other people may develop more severe symptoms that can become very troubling.
Some might start feeling dizzy and struggle to walk straight without staggering. Others might experience intense thirst that forces them to drink water or other fluids. Some might even develop diarrhea (because of how caffeine stimulates metabolism) or even headaches. Fever and irritability are also common, as is insomnia. You’re likely to struggle to sleep when your body has had too much caffeine.
These symptoms range in severity but rarely require medical attention. Simply stop drinking caffeine for the day (or a few days) and let your body come back down to normal. You might get a caffeine headache if you don’t drink it for a few days, but that should pass in a few hours. However, extreme caffeine overdoses may cause more severe problems that may require medical treatment.
These include vomiting, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain, racing heart, convulsions, breathing struggles, and muscle spasms. Get to a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Note that the caffeine dose that triggers this reaction may be lower or higher than 400 milligrams. Thankfully, four shots should be in the healthy range for most adults.