So you’re a coffee addict. Welcome to the club. According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 64 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee a day, with 11 percent of those polled admitting to drinking four or more cups a day. Despite the contradictory flood of information concerning coffee—it’s the devil’s drink one moment and a natural elixir the next—Americans have barely changed their coffee drinking habits in the past 20 years.
The consensus seems to be that moderation is key, but what does moderate coffee consumption look like exactly? The Food and Drug Administration and the International Food Information Council Foundation say healthy adults should drink no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. That’s the equivalent of about four cups of coffee (we’re talking small, 8-ounce cups) or one Starbucks venti-sized dark roast. But according to research review specialist Esther Myers, that number has been outdated for some time. The last time a research group conducted a comprehensive review of caffeine studies was 2003, prompting Myers and her team to take a fresh look at the evidence, The Atlantic reports.
Myers and her colleagues at the International Life Sciences Institute completed a systematic, comprehensive review to finally get to the bottom of this caffeine-centric puzzle. Following strict standards set by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Myers and her team sifted through more than 700 studies on caffeine safety, looking at different levels and their correlation with a wide range of health problems. After extensive research, Myers and her team found that, yes, 400 milligrams of caffeine is a perfectly fine daily limit for healthy adults.
However, if you’re pregnant, you’re better off maxing out at 300 milligrams of caffeine a day at most. And while 400 milligrams may be a safe threshold for most, only you can be the judge of your body’s individual response to caffeine. “There’s a great deal of interindividual variability in how people respond to caffeine,” Myers told The Atlantic. “That’s one of the research gaps. We need to better identify differences and identify people who are more sensitive.”
Ultimately, Myer’s findings highlight our lack of knowledge rather than a collective depth. As is the case in most nutritional studies, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation, forcing us to rely on common sense and instinct to decide what’s best for our own bodies. So, if you feel jittery after that second cup, think about cutting back. Or, better yet, switch to green tea. It may not be the most exciting option (may I suggest a matcha latte?), but at least you’ll know you’re getting some health benefit.
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Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.