Here’s the Buzz on How Much Caffeine You Can Safely Consume in a Week

Mar 31, 2017

Ah, caffeine. It’s one of those love-hate relationships that — let’s face it — MOST of us have in our lives. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are plenty of reported healthy benefits to drinking coffee, including blood sugar stabilization, cancer prevention, and a reduced risk of stroke. And the same goes for tea, which tends to promote bone health. But when it comes to caffeine, there can *definitely* be too much of a good thing. Here’s what experts say about how much caffeine you can safely consume over the course of a week or so.

Daily Caffeine Recommendations

First of all, let’s talk about how much caffeine experts recommend you drink per day. We’re not talking about toxic thresholds here either — we’re talking about how much caffeine you can safely drink in a day while maintaining good overall health.

According to The Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, consuming about 400 mg of caffeine per day doesn’t have any harmful benefits to most peoples’ long-term health. For reference, that’s 3-5 cups of coffee per day (dependent upon coffee strength) and up to 10 or 11 cups of Earl Grey. That’s quite a lot of tea.

However, though you can probably safely drink that amount, it’s not necessarily recommended, due to the side effects of caffeine, which can include insomnia and stomach irritation.

Individual Considerations

When it comes down to it, caffeine metabolism (the rate at which caffeine is processed by your body) varies a lot by individual. Some people feel ah-mazing after drinking three hot cups of joe, while others get jittery or experience an upset stomach. Other factors matter too.

“If you already have heart disease or other chronic conditions, you may still need to curb your coffee consumption,” registered dietitian Cynthia Sass writes for Time. “For example, I sometimes recommend coffee to my healthy athlete clients, but others who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other digestive disorders feel much better when they eliminate it, as do those who have anxiety disorders.”

So, if you tend to suffer from anxiety, heartburn, high blood pressure, heart problems, or a general feeling of jitteriness after you’ve had coffee, it’s best to keep your consumption low. Probably one or two cups of light-roast coffee per day, max.

The Role of Adrenal Fatigue

Finally, if you think you may be suffering from adrenal dysfunction (your adrenal glands produce a number of hormones to control blood sugar and blood pressure, among other things), you’ll probably want to curb your caffeine consumption. Drinking caffeine causes your body to release cortisol, a stress hormone that’s already out of whack in individuals with adrenal fatigue. If you suspect that your adrenals may be stressed, it’s crucial to dramatically reduce your caffeine consumption — or avoid it completely if necessary.

The Bottom Line

So, how much caffeine can you consume safely within a week? Technically 21-35 cups of coffee or 70-77 cups of black tea. But does that mean you *should*? Probably not… but if you’re otherwise healthy, don’t sweat enjoying that daily latte.

How much caffeine do you consume each day? Share with us @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty and Brit + Co)

Max's Newest Rom-Com Is Basically 'When Harry Met Sally'

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and eating a ton of good food. And apparently it's also time for breakups. In Max's new movie, Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga play two best friends trying to navigate friendship, relationships, and adulthood during their first year at college. When they make a pact to break up with their significant others, they wind up having one of the most chaotic nights of their lives on Drunksgiving (when people party the Wednesday before Thanksgiving). We don't get many Thanksgiving-themed movies, and I'll take every one we can get!

Here's everything you need to know about Sweethearts, including our interviews with Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga, Caleb Hearon, and Jordan Weiss!

Our Interviews With 'Sweethearts' Stars Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga, & Caleb Hearon And Writer Jordan Weiss

Sweethearts might be the ultimate cozy holiday season watch, but its cast and crew can't stop gushing about cozy classics like When Harry Met Sally and Harry Potter. ("Oh, my childhood," Kiernan Shipka says with a nostalgic edge to her voice. "All the meals, the dining hall." This, too, is what I envy the most about the Hogwarts lifestyle).

Writer-director Jordan Wiess declares herself a When Harry Met Sally superfan and says the movie "always makes me feel [good]. The sweaters and the style, and it always reminds me of the fall...ObviouslyThe Holiday is one of my favorite Nancy Meyers movies that always have to watch in December. And then a re-watch of Gilmore Girls is mandatory for the fall."

What do all of these titles have in common? Memorable relationships and oh-so-cozy backdrops. And in Sweethearts (on Max November 28), two best friends decide to break up with their high school sweethearts over Thanksgiving break, and wind up running into all their old friends during their mission. So, naturally, I have to ask for their best advice for returning home for the holidays!

"I've told people that I've had childhood crushes on that I didn't tell at the time, 'By the way, I had a huge crush on you,'" Kiernan says. "It's so fun to say the thing you've never maybe said to someone that you've always wanted to. I mean, that's fun to me. I would say maybe do that if you can find an old crush that you never expressed your feelings to. Even if it's just for the fun of it."

"I like going back and doing a lot of the old things I grew up doing with the old friends that left the Bay or stayed in the Bay," Nico Hiraga adds. "That's special when you go back and just treat it like no time went by at all, you know, do the same old traditions."

But for Caleb Hearon, it's out with the old and in with the new. "Going and seeing a bunch of people you haven't seen in a while I think, try on something new," he says. "Bring up a new music you're listening to, wear a bold shirt. Just try on something new when you're coming home from college. I remember going back to my small town from college and I was trying out new clothes. I was trying out new phrases. I was testing things out, seeing what people liked and didn't like. They don't know who you are now!"

Clearly, heightened emotions around going back to your hometown is a universal experience, and for Jordan and co-writer Dan Brier, it was important that the storyline fit right in with those classics we all know so well.

"Dan and I had a lot of conversations where we're like, 'Ok, what if you gave Superbad or Booksmart the male-female friendship When Harry Met Sally treatment — but in the shape of one of those raucous buddy comedy night-where-everything-goes-wrong type of movies."

They also pulled from John Hughes titles like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "where an adventure is unfolding in a really limited span of time. And the characters are having a pretty complete emotional arc happen through this one crazy day or one crazy night."

Sweethearts is full of crazy moments, from house parties to college roommate horror stories, and the chemistry in those scenes is just a reflection of how close the cast and crew got on set, which Jordan equates to being at summer camp. Caleb remembers "laughing so hard that we had to muffle it so you don't ruin sound."

"I really hope people have truly half as much fun watching this movie as we had making it because we had the goofiest happiest set," Jordan adds. "Shout out to Nico who was definitely our onset DJ who had a wireless speaker with him on his cast chair at all times. So the second we would call cut, he was grabbing the speaker, blasting the tunes. I have so many funny videos of Kieran and Nico just dancing it out in the middle of the night because we were shooting mostly all throughout the nights and you gotta find creative ways to keep the energy up at four in the morning."

"One of my favorite parts in the movie is when Ava DeMary (Claire) sings the national anthem and it's only in there for about 15 seconds," she continues. "We need to release the full four-minute performance because it got so unhinged, and also just all of Caleb's faces that he was making at her when she was singing. I have to find out if we are going to cut a blooper reel."

Considering how close the cast got, and Kiernan's track record for starting cast group chats (she's gone viral multiple times for revealing she texts her friends and costars good morning), I'm not surprised to learn she started a Sweethearts cast chat. I am surprised, however, to learn she started at least four!

"It's that thing where we have so many people," she says. "There's like one hero, bigger group chat that I think is like eight people. And I think it's called Via Carrot because it was a play on Via Carota [and] someone was like, 'Oh, I'm gonna get there via carrot.'"

"But then it's that thing of like it's me, Caleb, Me, [Nico], Jordan, and Dan," she continues. "But we all have one group chat where like one person is there or we have a smaller one. So we maybe have five others, and there's just the three of us called Friends Are Life...There's a lot going on. I'm gonna accidentally text the wrong one."

What is the movie Sweethearts about?

Max

Sweethearts Plot

Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga play two best friends who are trying to nagviate friendship, relationships, and adulthood during their first year at college. When they return home for Thanksgiving break, and agree to break up with their high school sweethearts before classes start back up, a chaotic night out ends up putting their friendship to the ultimate test.

When is Sweethearts coming out?

Max

Sweethearts Release Date

Sweethearts is premiering on Max Thursday, November 28, which also happens to be Thanksgiving! We'll start perfecting our mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce now.

Who's in the cast of Sweethearts?

Max

Sweethearts Cast

The cast of Sweethearts includes Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga, Caleb Hearon, Tramell Tillman, Ava Demary, Charlie Hall, Joel Kim Booster, and Christine Taylor.

Do you hope Sweethearts turns into a friends-to-lovers story? Or that Max keeps it strictly platonic? Let us know on Instagram! And while we're on the topic of Thanksgiving, check out 21 Easy Thanksgiving Finger Food Recipes you can make this fall. ;)

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

This post has been updated.

22 Classic Christmas Movies The Whole Family Will Love

As much as I love binge watching new Christmas movies (shameless plug for Our Little Secret, I loved it so much), there's nothing like sitting down with your family to watch a classic Christmas movie. After all, they're classics for a reason! These picks are great for the littlest of kids, but they're still entertaining enough for the rest of the fam. Someholiday moviesare black and white, and some are a little more recent but, but they're all must-see movies.

No matter what kind of film you're looking for, keep reading for the BEST classic Christmas movies to watch this holiday season!

CBS/ABC/Apple TV+

A Charlie Brown Christmas — On Apple TV+

If you don't have time for a full feature film, opt for this animated special instead. Charlie Brown explores the true meaning of Christmas, family, and friendship when he's put in charge of the holiday pageant. This cartoon is so cute, and it's the perfect length for when you need a quick mealtime watch!

Columbia Pictures

Little Women — On Paramount+

Sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are dealing with a Christmas with no presents and, even worse, no Father while he fights in the Civil War. But as they encounter love and loss throughout their adolescence, the older they get, the more they realize the greatest gift was each other.

Columbia Pictures

The Holiday — on Prime Video

This classic Christmas movie (which stars Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black) has everything you could dream of: a house swap to a dreamy location and a run-in with handsome strangers. Say no more.

Warner Bros.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — On Max

Clark Griswold is determined to give his family the best Christmas vacation ever. Unfortunately, it's totally on brand for the entire holiday to become a giant disaster.

RKO Pictures

It's a Wonderful Life — On Roku

The first classic Christmas movie on our list is one that my dad tried to get me to watch for years. I finally watched it and I cried almost the entire time. It's A Wonderful Life follows George Bailey, who's taken to an alternate reality where he never existed and realizes just how much he as to live for. This movie will definitely make you appreciate the people you love.

Legacy Releasing

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — Rent On Amazon Prime

Stop motion holiday movies were my entire childhood, and this one is a super cute addition to any family gathering. It expands on the iconic reindeer's story and features romance, danger, friendship, and even themes of identity and belonging. Go Rudolph!

Universal Pictures

Love Actually — on Prime Video

Any rom-com fan will want to tune into this classic, which tells the story of multiple lovestruck (or heartbroken) characters and will make you feel totally seen.

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures

Christmas With The Kranks — On Prime Video

Jamie Lee Curtis might not have won an Oscar until 2023 for Everything Everywhere All At Once, but she deserved one for this classic Christmas movie ;). Luther and Nora have decided to all but cancel Christmas with their daughter in Peru. But when she comes home at the last minute, they must figure out how to have a spontaneous celebration.

Warner Bros.

The Polar Express — on Max

If you ask me, it's not a proper holiday without watching this iconic animated movie. Tom Hanks voices both the train conductor leading children to the North Pole and the little boy who isn't sure he even believes in Santa.

20th Century Studios

Home Alone — On Disney+

If you prefer a hilarious Christmas movie, then Home Alone is exactly what you need. 8-year-old Kevin McCallister is left behind when his family goes on their holiday vacation. As fun as it sounds, he starts to get tired of being ~home alone~ pretty quickly — especially when two burglars decide to target the house.

Disney

Eloise At Christmastime — on Prime Video

Speaking of spunky children, take a trip around the Plaza Hotel with Eloise, who basically rules the roost. With Gavin Creel as the lovable Bill and Christine Baranski as Prunella, this is one classic Christmas movie you'll want to watch even when you're not a kid anymore.

Disney

A Muppet Christmas Carol — On Disney+

By this point, A Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas movie that you'll remember for years to come. Every iteration puts a new spin on the tale, but this version is definitely Gen Z's favorite. The movie follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy bachelor whose life is changed when the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future visit him on Christmas Eve.

New Line Cinema/Warner Bros.

Elf — On Hulu

Even though this movie takes place in a post-Y2K world, it is absolutely a classic Christmas movie at this point! Buddy has spent his whole life thinking he's an elf, but when he learns he's a human — and that his dad is living in New York City — he goes on an adventure to find the family he never met. If anything will spark a lifelong love of narwhals, it'll be this movie. This is also a fun movie to watch after Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer because it's supposed to be the same world!

MGM Studios

A Christmas Story — on Max

If you watched Elf and thought that Ming Ming the elf looked familiar, it's because he's played by Peter Billingsley from A Christmas Story! In this holiday classic, Ralphie does what every kid does the closer we get to Christmas: begs his parents for his dream gift, a Red Ryder BB gun.

Touchstone Pictures

The Nightmare Before Christmas — on Disney+

Pumpkin king Jack Skellington is in for a surprise when he finds Christmastown...and decides to kidnap Santa and take on the mantle of the jolly old elf. Tim Burton's musical delight is perfect for anyone who considers themself just a little bit more of a Halloween person (we get it!)

20th Century Studios

Miracle on 34th Street — On Disney+

There are two versions of this classic Christmas movie you can add to your watchlist: the 1947 black and white film, or the 1994 version starring Matilda's Mara Wilson. The story follows an independent single mother, a man on a quest to prove he's Santa Claus, and a little girl looking for something to believe in. I cannot recommend it enough, for real.

Paramount Pictures

White Christmas — On Prime Video

This movie is my family's non-negotiable yearly watch, and TBH, everyone needs to see it! White Christmas is a musical that follows Bob and Phil who team up with sister act Betty and Judy to save an old friend's failing Vermont inn. For even more of a recommendation, my family genuinely and spontaneously breaks into any song from this movie as soon as the holiday season stars.

MGM/Warner Bros/CBS

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! — On Peacock

This classic Christmas movie (which I prefer to the Jim Carrey version, but you do you, boo) follows the titular Grinch, who decides to ruin Christmas by stealing presents, decor, and food from the Whos in Whoville. This heartwarming story really serves as a reminder that Christmas — and life — is more than material objects.

Image via Universal Pictures

How The Grinch Stole Christmas — Rent On Amazon Prime

In this spin on the aforementioned cartoon, Jim Carrey plays the Grinch, who hates Christmas and can't stand the Whos of Whoville. This is a full feature film so they've added some extra plotlines the original doesn't have, but TBH, it just makes it more memorable.

CBS

Frosty The Snowman — on Hulu

Another classic Christmas movie that kids of all ages will love! When Frosty comes to life and befriends some local children, they have to team up to prevent him from melting.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The Santa Clause — On Disney+

Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, who must step into the red, cookie-loving shoes of Santa Claus when he accidentally causes the previous Santa to fall off his roof. After decades of Santa stories, I always loved how original this one is!!

ABC/Disney

The Year Without a Santa Claus — Rent on Apple TV+

"I'm Mister White Christmas, I'm Mister Snow!" Whether you've been singing this song since the special aired in 1974, or you've seen all the TikToks, it's a better time than ever to rewatch the story of the elves trying to convince Santa to carry out his annual trek.

Have you seen all of these classic Christmas movies? Check out these 12 Cozy New Christmas Movies On Netflix, Prime Video, Hallmark Channel, & More and Every Holiday Movie You Can Stream On Netflix This Year for more cozy movie ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

christmas holiday entertainment pop culture movies

45 Gift Ideas For The Creative & Crafty People In Your Life

Finding the perfect gift for the crafty loved ones in your life can be a challenge, especially when they're always busy creating beautiful, thoughtful gifts of their own. Yet, there's no need to worry as we've already done the hard work for you. We've curated a list of the 45 most inspiring gift ideas that will make shopping a breeze during the holidays. Whether you're searching for something special for a scrapbooking professional or a coloring book enthusiast, this list is packed with thoughtful options to celebrate their creativity.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

This Candle Making Kit Comes With a Stove

Amazon

Give a gift that keeps on giving with this candle making kit that allows you to personalize candles in the comfort of your own home. This set includes a mini electric stove, rich scents, dyes, and everything else you need to get started.

Here’s the Buzz on How Much Caffeine You Can Safely Consume in a Week

Daily Caffeine Recommendations

Individual Considerations

The Role of Adrenal Fatigue

The Bottom Line

If Style & Fashion Are Your Thing, Then These 43 Products Are For You

Max's Newest Rom-Com Is Basically 'When Harry Met Sally'

Here's everything you need to know about Sweethearts, including our interviews with Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga, Caleb Hearon, and Jordan Weiss!

Our Interviews With 'Sweethearts' Stars Kiernan Shipka, Nico Hiraga, & Caleb Hearon And Writer Jordan Weiss

What is the movie Sweethearts about?

Sweethearts Plot

​When is Sweethearts coming out?

Sweethearts Release Date

Who's in the cast of Sweethearts?

Sweethearts Cast

22 Classic Christmas Movies The Whole Family Will Love

No matter what kind of film you're looking for, keep reading for the BEST classic Christmas movies to watch this holiday season!

A Charlie Brown Christmas — On Apple TV+

Little Women — On Paramount+

The Holiday — on Prime Video

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — On Max

It's a Wonderful Life — On Roku

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — Rent On Amazon Prime

Love Actually — on Prime Video

Christmas With The Kranks — On Prime Video

The Polar Express — on Max

Home Alone — On Disney+

Eloise At Christmastime — on Prime Video

A Muppet Christmas Carol — On Disney+

Elf — On Hulu

A Christmas Story — on Max

The Nightmare Before Christmas — on Disney+

Miracle on 34th Street — On Disney+

White Christmas — On Prime Video

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! — On Peacock

How The Grinch Stole Christmas — Rent On Amazon Prime

Frosty The Snowman — on Hulu

The Santa Clause — On Disney+

The Year Without a Santa Claus — Rent on Apple TV+

45 Gift Ideas For The Creative & Crafty People In Your Life

This Candle Making Kit Comes With a Stove

This Portable Printer With Wireless Connectivity

This Tic-Tac-Toe Game With a Wooden Design

This Flower Press Kit for a Nature-Inspired Gift

This Easel With an Adjustable Height

This Rock Painting Set Comes With Smooth Rocks

This Puzzle Set Comes With 12 Puzzles

This Painting Kit Is Suitable With a Variety of Paints

This Art Machine Creates Custom Tees

This Cloud Kit With Unique Colors

This Proofing Basket Set for the Avid Baker

This Mosaic Kit for Customized Home Decor

This Peel and Stick Border Is Easy to Apply and Remove

This Stamp Set With Varying Designs

This Bonsai Tree With Care Instructions

This Rinse Cup Keeps Your Brushes Organized

This Dice Set Inspires Your Pieces

This Memory Game for the Artist Friend Group

This Paperback Will Work Your Brain

This Wood Burning Kit Creates Personalized Gifts

This Scrapbook Kit With Endless Designs

This Buddha Board for Your Mindful Friend

This Paint Set With a Matte Finish

This Pencil Case With a Zipper Design

This Creativity Book With Daily Prompts

This Bracelet Kit Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

This Bird House Kit With a Wooden Design

This 3D Wooden Puzzle Is a Brain Teaser

This House Kit for a Daily Project

This Adult Coloring Book With 50 Designs

This Book Nook Kit With a Magic Book Ebook

This Colored Pencil Kit With Every Color Imaginable

This Origami Kit With Different Patterns

This Puzzle Vase for Fun and Function

This Puzzle Storage With a Portable Design

This Wallpaper for an Accent Wall

This Paint-By-Numbers Kit With Vibrant Designs

This LEGO Set With a Matching Display Frame

This Drawing Set With Multiple Pieces to Work With

This Nail Polish Kit Includes a Soak-Off Formula

When is Sweethearts coming out?