Good vibes in our office are reliant on one very important morning ritual – the fetching, and then drinking, of the coffee.

I can deal with just about anything – Trump, Justin Bieber, anti-vaxxers, whatever –  provided I’ve had my morning caffeine.

As with all things though, everything in moderation, and we’ve often wondered how many cups we can enjoy before we start taking things a touch too far.

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shed some light on exactly how much coffee is too much coffee, reports Health.

Researchers from the University of South Australia analyzed the health records and self-reported dietary patterns of 347,077 participants between the ages of 37 and 73. They also looked to see which study participants possessed a specific gene variant, called CYP1A2, that enables people to metabolize caffeine faster than those without the variant.

Okay, that’s enough science talk. Here’s what they found:

Overall, the researchers found that people who said drank six or more cups of coffee a day were 22% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease during the study period, compared to those who drank one to two cups daily.

They also concluded that this association was independent of genetic makeup; in other words, people with the caffeine-metabolising gene were not able to safely drink more than those who don’t have it.

Before you panic and schedule genetic tests, or – heaven forbid – give up coffee, you should know that consumed in moderation, it can actually be really good for you.

Previous research has found coffee is rich in antioxidants and may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. That is, if it’s consumed in moderation.

A 2017 review published in Food and Chemical Toxicology found that intake levels of up to 400 mg a day, or about four 8-ounce cups of coffee, are not associated with health risks for adults.

We already know that it’s not ideal to smash that first cup of coffee first thing in the morning if you want to feel the full effects of the caffeine perk.

Now we know to limit the daily intake to no more than four cups, where possible.

Take it a step further, and perfect the art of the ‘nappuccino’ and you’ll be ready to go pro.

Because you’re a classy and sophisticated person, you’re also going to want to make sure you’re drinking quality, rather than quantity. We always go with Importers Coffee – the oldest coffee brand in the Western Cape.

The company imports top quality coffees from the world’s leading equatorial coffee growing regions, and they use the same coffee-brewing methods that have made them such a favourite over the years.

If you’re in the ‘burbs, swing by their famous shop in Newlands, and townies can grab a cup at Café du Cap (113 Loop Street).

For those who don’t want to face the world, stock up on their pods and beans to use at home.

You can even win one of their coffee machines, as well as 100 coffee pods to get you up and running, by entering our competition on Instagram.

Head here and follow the simple instructions to stand a chance.

[source:health]