The most common question I receive:

Is coffee good for my health?

Yes it is. And you should absolutely drink it. Voltaire drank 60 cups of coffee daily. But there's a science to drinking coffee right.

Here's how to consume it correctly (without side effects): 🧵

Coffee works by interfering with adenosine, a molecule that builds up in your brain when you’re awake, consequently making you tired.

Adenosine, a byproduct of ATP (cellular energy), binds to specific receptors in your brain cells.

This binding triggers sleepiness.

But your brain fights back.

With regular consumption, it creates MORE adenosine receptors.

This is why you need increasingly stronger doses to feel the same effect.

And why you feel like death when you skip your morning cup (those extra receptors get flooded).

The coffee cascade wreaks havoc if consumed incorrectly:

• Dependency
• Digestive havoc
• Mineral depletion
• Dehydration through increased urination
• Disrupted sleep (even 8+ hours before bed)
• Jitters & anxiety from cortisol spikes

How to consume it correctly:

1) Add a potassium source

Caffeine causes you to excrete potassium, creating jitters and fatigue.

My go-to: Have a coconut water with coffee or take potassium supplements.

This single "hack" will stabilise your energy levels and reduce crashes by balancing electrolytes.

2) Add L-theanine

This amino acid (found naturally in green tea) smooths out caffeine's rough edges.

Use a 2:1 ratio (200mg L-theanine to 100mg caffeine)

You'll feel focused without the anxiety or jitters. Game-changer.

3) Add collagen or gelatin

These proteins create a protective film in your gut, buffering coffee's acidity.

I add a scoop to my morning cup, it's transformed how my body handles coffee.

Plus, you get extra protein for hair, skin and joints.

4) Hydrate strategically

For every cup of coffee, drink 16oz (0.5L) of water with a pinch of salt (Himalayan/Celtic)

This simple habit counteracts the diuretic effect, prevents headaches, and stops the afternoon crash.

(no need to drink saltwater with your coffee)

5) Time it with your body's natural rhythm

Don't drink coffee immediately after waking.

Wait 60-90 minutes.

Your body produces cortisol in the morning naturally. Adding caffeine during this peak creates a stressful double-spike.

"How much coffee is the right amount?"

Let's reduce this down to each espresso:

The FDA cites 400mg to be the safest quantity that you can consume without negative effects.

→ Roughly 6 espressos

Based on your tolerance and goals, 40-300mg is the green zone I propose.

Less than 1 to 4.5 espressos.

Many long coffees, Americano, flat white/latte; include 2 (or 3 for a large) shots of espresso.

Consuming 2 keeps you in a 4-6 espresso range depending on size.

(The upper end of the green zone, into the highest safe dosage)

(The upper end of the green zone, into the highest safe dosage)

I am personally exploring 1-2 espressos per day, ideally 1 espresso at any given time.

So far, I'm loving it. It mitigates all adverse effects.

My optimal schedule:

• Wake up → Water with minerals
• 60-90 mins later → First coffee (with L-theanine & collagen)
• Mid-afternoon → Switch to decaf or tea

Decaf still contains beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants (without the side effects)

Coffee has fuelled intellectual revolutions for centuries.

Voltaire, Balzac, and Beethoven consumed extraordinary amounts daily.

Beethoven was meticulous, counting exactly 60 beans per cup each morning for his composing sessions.

They were onto something.

Full-time dev, part-time debugger of my own bad decisions. Still lovely, allegedly!

Coffee has fuelled the degens for years… and will continue to do so.. long live the $degens 🎩

Very interesting cast. My daily standard is two flat white per day.

Why I don’t understand this is Voltaire wouldn’t have known these things