Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Caffeine is All the Buzz

 

Caffeine is a simple word but largely complex substance. It comes naturally from plants and has the ability to stimulate the central nervous system while acting as a diuretic. A diuretic rids the body of salt and water through urination. 

We often forget that caffeine doesn’t just mean coffee. Though often associated as the main source of fuel for those early risers, caffeine can be found in all different food and beverage sources that may be unknown by some. Caffeine can be found in energy drinks, soda, tea, chocolate, and more.

 Caffeine is often consumed as a way to boost energy levels, and effects can last from six to twelve hours after consumption. Peak performance of caffeine occurs after one hour of consuming the substance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day. This is equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee a day. Refer to the table on the following page to review typical caffeine levels of popular food and beverage items. The American Heart Association suggests that moderate coffee drinking, 200mg or less, has less heart related risk factors.  

 

Side effects of caffeine include

1.     Restlessness

2.     Dehydration

3.     Dizziness

4.     Shakiness

5.     Rapid heart rate

 

Avoid caffeine intake When:

1.     You are taking certain medications – it can interact with the drug

2.     You have trouble sleeping – try to consume caffeine no sooner than ten to twelve hours before you are going to sleep

3.     You are prone to stomach ulcers

4.     You suffer from migraines or high blood pressure

5.     You are pregnant

 

Trivia: Is caffeine withdrawal real?

Yes, when you have caffeine regularly for a long period of time, it can cause a physical dependence and you can experience withdrawal without it = headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating.

 

Be MINDFUL of your caffeine intake! You don’t have to stop drinking caffeine but make sure to be aware of how much you are drinking, what food or drinks contain caffeine, and not to exceed recommended daily intakes.

 

 

 

Levels of caffeine of Food and Beverages

 

Type

Serving

Caffeine Level

Coffee

A.     Decaf

B.     Light Roast

C.     Dark Roast

D.    Espresso

 

A.     8 ounce (1 cup)

B.     8 ounce (1 cup)

C.     8 ounce (1 cup)

D.    1 shot (2 ounces)

 

A.     2 - 15 mg

B.     100 - 110 mg

C.     80- 90 mg

D.    60-75 mg

 

Cola

 

 

A.     20 ounce bottle

B.     2 liter bottle

 

 

A.     ~ 75 mg

B.     ~ 225 mg

 

Energy drink

 

A.     8 ounce (1 cup)

B.     1 can (16 ounce)

 

 

A.     70 – 100 mg

B.     140 – 200 mg

Tea

 

8 ounce (1 cup)

 

 

14 – 60 mg

Dark Chocolate

 

6 squares  (1ounce)

 

 

20 mg

Pain Relief Medication

 

1 dose (2 tablets)

 

 

Up to 130 mg

Diet Pills

(Leptiburn, Dexatrim, Estrin D, etc.)

 

 

1 dose (2 tablets)

 

 

25 – 300 mg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

 

1.      Consumer Health: Caffeine and blood pressure. Mayo Clinic. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/consumer-health-caffeine-and-blood-pressure/. Accessed October 27, 2019.

 

2.      Caffeine: How much is too much? Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678. Published March 8, 2017. Accessed October 27, 2019.

 

3.      Caffeine. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html. Published April 30, 2019. Accessed October 27, 2019.

 

4.      Gavin ML, ed. Caffeine (for Teens). KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/caffeine.html. Published September 2014. Accessed October 27, 2019.

 

5.      Caffeine & Sleep Problems. National Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/caffeine-and-sleep. Accessed November 3, 2019.

 

6.      Caffeine and Heart Disease. www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/caffeine-and-heart-disease. Accessed November 3, 2019.

 

7.      Kallmayer T. Caffeine Diet: Weight Loss Booster? Caffeine Informer. https://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-diet-weight-loss-booster. Accessed November 3, 2019.

 


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.