How much tea is too much?

[KimDW]

I drink about 16oz of unsweetened regular tea a day at lunch (the Lipton Pure Leaf in a bottle kind). Is this too much? I need the caffeine in the afternoon at work but I don't want all the sugar that soda gives. I don't really drink soda - maybe 1 a week if any. The rest is water.

Kim

 

[NY25]

This is fine. As long as you aren't having any adverse side effects from the caffeine (shakes, can't sleep at night, etc), this is fine. I wouldn't drink more caffeinated tea than this, however. Decaf - have at it!! Good on watching that sugar intake, too.

 

[kathryn]

I think 16 oz. a day is fine. Though like NY25 says, if you notice any ill effects (different people react to caffeine differently),then cut back, or switch to 1/2 decaf, 1/2 regular. It's good, IMO, that you're drinking it unsweetened as well.

Or, better yet, switch to green tea, which has many health benefits due to the EGCG (epigallocatesomethinggalate!--an antioxidant) in it.

Yerba Mate is another tea that has less caffeine than regular black tea, and health benefits as well.