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Caffeine |
© Information and statistics taken from "Caffeine" an OSU Home Economics
Cooperative Extension Service fact sheet by Dr. Janice R. Hermann.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant which is found in the leaves, fruits,
and seeds of many plants. Tea leaves, coffee and cocoa beans, as well as kola nuts all
contain caffeine. Many people tend to think of coffee, tea, and cola drinks as the main
sources of caffeine, but, in fact, caffeine can also be found in chocolate, stimulants
such as No- doz tablets, some pain relievers, diuretics, cold remedies, weight-control
aids, and various prescription medications.
In 1987 the US Food and Drug Administration found no evidence that normal
caffeine intake produced any increased risk to health. The American Medical Association
came to a similar conclusion in relation to the health and safety of drinking coffee. Two
studies in Norway and Hawaii found no relationship between coffee intake and cancer risk,
confirming the stance of the American Cancer Society that there does not seem to be any
relationship between caffeine and cancer.
However, different individuals react differently to caffeine. Caffeine can cause some
individuals to have difficulty sleeping at night. It can also cause some people to have
fitful sleep, mood changes, heartburn, stomach upsets, or headaches. People who have a
high caffeine intake may experience headaches or withdrawl symptoms if they suddenly cease
getting their normal amount of caffeine. Because it is a stimulant, caffeinated beverages
are not recommended for replacing body fluids lost while sweating in hot weather or hot
work environments.
Here is a list of popular beverages, foods, and medications with their caffeine content
in mg*:
| Coffee(5 oz cup) |
mg |
| drip method |
110-150 |
| percolated |
64-124 |
| instant |
40-108 |
| Tea (5 oz cup) |
mg |
| 1 min. brew |
9-33 |
| 3 min. brew |
20-46 |
| instant |
12-28 |
| Chocolate |
mg |
| 6 oz cup of hot cocoa |
2-8 |
| 8 oz cup chocolate milk |
2-7 |
| 1 oz milk chocolate |
1-15 |
| Soft Drinks(12 oz can) |
mg |
| Mountain Dew |
54.0 |
| Coca-Cola / Diet Coke |
45.6 |
| Shasta Cola |
44.4 |
| Dr. Pepper |
39.6 |
| Pepsi Cola |
38.4 |
| Diet Pepsi |
36.0 |
| Stimulants |
mg |
| No-doz tablets |
100 |
| Vivarin |
200 |
| Pain Relievers |
mg |
| Anacin |
32 |
| Excedrin |
65 |
| Midol (for cramps) |
32 |
| Weight-Control Aids |
mg |
| Dexatrim |
200 |
| Dietac |
200 |
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