New Buzz on Caffeine

Among the most frequently asked questions I get is about caffeine. Is it safe? How much is okay? Is it the newest health food? I’d like to answer a lot of these questions right now. It’s also the topic of this week’s Today Show segment:

What is caffeine, and where does it come from?

Caffeine is naturally-occurring in many plants, and found in the leaves, seeds, and/or fruits of more than 60 plant types. The most common sources are coffee beans, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. Caffeine is a stimulant, and has numerous positive nervous system effects, including fighting fatigue and improving mental alertness and focus, and increasing athletic performance.

Is caffeine safe to consume?

Thousands of studies have been done testing caffeine’s safety. In a word: Yes. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that caffeine is safe and effective with moderate intake (defined as 300 mg per day–see below for caffeine content of drinks) and does not cause any ill effects in healthy adults (and children). Some people who are “caffeine sensitive”–like people with high blood pressure and the elderly–may need to consume less to avoid negative effects like rapid heart beat, stomach upset, sleeplessness or an increase in blood pressure.

How much caffeine is found in food and drinks?

These amounts are approximate, and can vary depending on size, and method of preparation. But, they are a good rule of thumb to guide you:

Coffee/Tea/Soda:

10 oz. mug of black coffee	100 mg
1 shot (1 oz.) of espresso	50 mg
10 oz. mug of tea	50 mg
12 oz. can of soda	40 mg

Chocolate Products:

chocolate milk/cocoa	5 mg
1 oz. milk chocolate	5 mg
1 oz. dark chocolate	20 mg

Energy Drinks (Some examples of many on the market):

2.5 oz. UpShot	200 mg
16 oz. Rock Star	160 mg
8.3 oz. Red Bull	80 mg

Energy “Pills”

1 pill Max. Strength No Doz

200 mg

What about other health benefits?

While most of us are familiar (and seek out) the stimulant properties of caffeine, there are other positive health aspects to consider. While these are just associations–observed in large population studies comparing health risk and caffeine intake–they suggest that the actions of caffeine are more widespread.

These actions include a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, some liver diseases, and colorectal cancer. So, don’t start drinking coffee as a “health food," but these may be some “value added” factors you didn’t know about!

Aren’t there a lot of negative effects caffeine can have?

Some negative effects can occur for some people, in amounts usually over 300 mg/day, or a single higher dose of over 200 mg. You may need to experiment yourself to know best: Remember to calculate both the amount of caffeine you have in a specific drink, as well as the total consumed all day.

For women with low calcium intake, too much caffeine might contribute to bone loss. Interrupted sleep can occur, as can reflux and stomach upset. An increase in blood pressure can occur in some people as well. Some people report nervousness, and a more rapid heartbeat.

Check with your doctor if you sense some negative effects associated with your caffeine intake.

Are coffee and tea different from caffeine in their reported actions?

Coffee and tea, while containing caffeine, also contain many health-promoting antioxidants. While consuming coffee or tea for their health benefits is not recommended, if you’re a coffee or tea drinker, doing so in moderation might contribute to your overall good health.

Watch this Street Talk clip where we asked people on the street "How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?"


Please weigh with any comments or questions on your mind!

Comments

Why don't drink labels state how much caffeine is in the product?

What about addiction? For this reason, is it dangerous for children?

I have used caffiene tablet first thing in the morning for @ 15 years. I don't drink caffinated drinks. Is prolonged use of the tablets a concern? I don't go over 200-300 mgs a day. Where can I get more information of effects of caffiene tablets?

Is a person more likely to pooh their pants after drinking a caffeinated beverage?

what in this article is new? why is it interesting?

Is there a link between drinking caffeine and our natural production of adrenaline? Does it contribute to a shutdown of our adrenal glands over time, and why the massive headaches when quitting? How long does these withdrawal symtoms last? I've gone for three weeks with migraines and extreme lethargy but would like to quit.

There is also a link between the use of caffeine and dry eye syndrome and fibrous cysts of the breast. Not that it causes it, but if you are predisposed to either one, it will make it worse.

Lately I have taken to throwing the spent coffee grounds and leftover coffee onto my banana plant out the back door. The plant is a lush green and outdoing any of the others that don't get their dose of daily caffeine and topical composting. So, oh no...don't "start drinking coffee as a health food"...because god forbid your article ever being accused of reversing the false pop medical theory from the 70's - 90's that coffee is bad for you.

yes. Caffeine can cause physical and psychological addiction. Caffeine pills are just safe as their equivalent dose in coffee/pop/tea. 100mg from a 10oz. cup of coffee is the same thing as a 1/2 of a 200mg caffeine tablet.

Is a person less likely to get laid when named Dexter?

Caffeine increases gastric motility but no "pooh in pants (PIP)" that I'm aware of.

yes, especially if the caffeinated beverage happens to be Mt. Dewwwww (DoOO). Seriously...it does happen to us (well, my little sister more than me, I tend toward constipation but morning coffee works. Hope this helps you feel less alone

Your nose needs work, it seems to be firmly inplanted in the hip cheeks of starbucks.

For the positive benefits you imply all people, for the negative aspects, you say some people.

Do you honestly think that you have one iota of integrity?

Barnum and Bailey had it wrong. The crowds are all suckers.

taking a caffeine pill first thing in the morning is an excellent laxative!!!
(Phyliss-I too have been taking caffeine pill every single moring for several years...hope its safe!)

Yes, the onset of pants poohing has shown to increase with as little as 3 cups of coffee a day. For more dramatic results our studies have shown that the consumption of sesame seeds, peanuts & corn can create virtual fireworks beneath your undergarments along with 200-300 mg caffeine per day.

Hi! Your web site is helpful. Many thanks. Best regards!

Yes, a person is more likely too pooh their pants after drinking a caffeinated beverage. But that doesn't say much. Lets say there is a .01 percent chance that you will pooh your pants without a caffeinated drink; after a caffeinated drink there is a .02 percent chance you will pooh your pants. Thats twice as likely but still a very low chance.

"Oh My God" LOL

I am laughing so hard I think I just pooped my pants, and I haven't had caffeine today. Does that make it less likely that caffeine is the culprit?

I think that this is new groundbreaking evidence that coffee increases motility. If just bloging about caffein makes you poo then....

Poo Poo happens....with or without caffeine! LOL

I have Lupus, and I have started drinking Redbulls in the past month or so I have noticed less fatigue for one, but have noticed that I also have less pain in my joints some days, not every day, but some,I know with Lupus that everything involved with it comes and goes, but could there be something else in the Redbull that might contribute to this?

It was mentioned a bit about bone loss in the article. I learned that caffeine, animal protein, smoking,and phosphoric acid all leech calcium out of your bones (not your system) pulling it into the kidneys where kidney stones are built (calcification) and resulting in massive pain in trying to pass those stones (can be up to the size of a quarter....imagine passing that thru your pee-pee hole) if surgery is not quickly utilized.

yeah..i dont know about all this caffeine stuff.

oh yeah.....and milk also makes people go #2 consistently after consumption. But that doesnt mean thats a good thing. It just says they're allergic to it. Lactose-intolerant, i believe its called. Like 75% of the world is right now.