A new U.S. study found that drinking more than 28 cups of coffee a week or more than four cups a day will significantly increase the risk of death for both men and women under the age of 55. The University of South Carolina reported in a new issue of the Mayo Clinic Journal that they analyzed more than 40,000 respondents who participated in a lifestyle survey between 1971 and 2002 and found that drinking 28 cups of coffee a week for men under 55 would lead to a 56 percent increase in their risk of death, while doubling the risk of death for women under 55. The study defined a cup of coffee as 6 to 8 ounces (about 180 to 240 milliliters). Study co-author Xuemei Sui, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, cautioned, “People who drink a lot of coffee should be careful, because this large study suggests that this is associated with at least an increased risk of death overall, and people younger than 55 in particular should be wary.” So, how much coffee is appropriate for a person to drink each day? Sui Xuemei said, “No specific recommendation has ever been given by an institution. In terms of cardiovascular disease and mortality, small amounts and moderate consumption should not be a problem. Our research suggests that up to 28 cups per week is safe. My personal opinion is to drink small amounts, maybe one to three cups a day.”