More Caffeine Information
•Caffeine
and Health*
During the past two decades, extensive
research has been conducted on the health aspects of caffeine
consumption.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified caffeine
as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in 1958. A more recent
review "found no evidence to show that the use of caffeine
in carbonated beverages would render these products injurious
to health.
"The American Medical Association (AMA) has a similar position
on caffeine's safety, stating that "Moderate tea or coffee
drinkers probably need have no concern for their health relative
to their caffeine consumption provided other lifestyle habits
(diet, alcohol consumption) are moderate, as well.
" Most experts agree that moderation and common sense are
the keys for consuming caffeine-containing foods and beverages.
Moderate caffeine consumption is considered to be about 300 mg.
which is equal to 3 cups of coffee, but this depends on the individual
and can vary from one to several beverages. Consumers with certain
health problems may wish to consult with their physician or health
care provider about caffeine consumption.
"Moderate tea or coffee drinkers probably need have no concern
for their health relative to their caffeine consumption provided
other lifestyle habits (diet, alcohol consumption) are moderate,
as well."
-The American Medical Association
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•Sensitivity*
People differ greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine; some individuals
can drink several cups of coffee, tea or soft drinks within an
hour and notice no effects, whereas others may feel stimulating
effects after one serving. Caffeine does not accumulate in the
bloodstream or body and is normally excreted within several hours
following consumption.
Caffeine may increase alertness in tired individuals and enhance
performance of certain tasks. Many people find caffeinated beverages
can help them stay alert when they work or study. Individual sensitivity
and frequency of consumption determine the effect of caffeine
on sleep.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) research indicates there is
no difference in the way children and adults handle caffeine.
These studies have shown that caffeine-containing foods and beverages
do not have an effect on hyperactivity or the attention span of
children.
Parents should use common sense in deciding how much caffeine-containing
foods or beverages they give their children, as with many foods.
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•Pregnancy*
The FDA has stated that caffeine does not adversely affect reproduction
in humans, although the agency continues to advise pregnant women
to consume caffeine in moderation.
Three major studies involving more than 15,000 women found no
birth defects associated with caffeine consumption even among
the heaviest coffee drinkers. Similarly, other human studies continue
to support the conclusion that moderate consumption of caffeine
does not predispose expectant mothers to spontaneous abortion
or preterm delivery, nor the fetus to low birth weight.
Some studies suggest that high levels of caffeine intake may delay
time to conception, but these findings are inconclusive and often
inconsistent when other lifestyle variables are considered. Research
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Medical
School and the University of California at Berkeley show that
moderate caffeine consumption does not reduce a woman's chance
of becoming pregnant.
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•What
Products Contain Caffeine and How Much?
|
Milligrams
of Caffeine
|
||
| Item | Typical | Range |
| Coffee (8-oz. cup) | ||
| Brewed, drip method |
100
|
60-180
|
| Instant |
65
|
30-120
|
| Decaffeinated |
3
|
1-5
|
|
Teas
(8-oz. cup)
|
||
| Brewed, major U.S. brands |
40
|
20-90
|
| Brewed, imported brands |
60
|
25-110
|
| Instant |
28
|
24-31
|
| Iced (8-oz. glass) |
25
|
9-50
|
| Some soft drinks (8 oz.) |
24
|
20-40
|
| Cocoa beverage (8 oz.) |
6
|
3-32
|
| Chocolate milk beverage (8 oz.) |
5
|
2-7
|
| Milk chocolate (1 oz.) |
6
|
1-15
|
| Dark chocolate, semi-sweet (1 oz.) |
20
|
5-35
|
| Baker's chocolate (1 oz.) |
26
|
26
|
| Chocolate-flavored syrup (1 oz.) |
4
|
4
|
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•Cancer*
A 1986 study of 16,600 individuals published in the Journal of
the National Cancer Institute found no relationship between coffee
consumption and cancer risk. The most recent review by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer also concluded that data do not
support a link between caffeine consumption and cancer in humans.
According to the American Cancer Society, "Available information
does not suggest a recommendation against the moderate use of
coffee. There is no indication that caffeine, a natural component
of both coffee and tea, is a risk factor in human cancer."
•Addiction/Dependence*
The word "addiction" is an old word meaning simply to
be devoted or habituated to a practice. People who say they are
"addicted" to caffeine tend to use the term loosely,
like saying they are "addicted" to chocolate, running,
working or television.
According to the World Health Organization, "There is no
evidence whatsoever that caffeine use has even remotely comparable
physical and social consequences which are associated with serious
drugs of abuse." Some sensitive individuals may experience
mild, temporary effects, including headache, restlessness and
irritability when their daily intake is quickly and substantially
altered. Medical experts have long agreed that any discomfort
caused by abruptly stopping consumption of caffeine can be avoided
by progressively decreasing intake over a few days.
•Breast
Cancer*
A worldwide investigation of 100,000 deaths due to breast cancer
found no relationship between caffeine intake and the development
of this disease. Research has also shown that caffeine intake
is not related to the development of fibrocystic breast disease
(FBD), a condition with benign fibrous lumps in the breast, although
caffeine is sometimes thought to aggravate this condition. Both
the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs
and the National Cancer Institute published reports stating there
is not an association between caffeine intake and the incidence
of FBD.
•Osteoporosis*
Research has shown that caffeine intake is not a significant risk
factor for osteoporosis, particularly in women who consume adequate
calcium. A 1994 NIH advisory panel concluded that caffeine has
not been found to affect calcium absorption or excretion significantly.
Several studies conducted to date show no link between moderate
caffeine consumption and bone density and mineral content in women
who consume some calcium in their diet.
•Cardiovascular
Disease*
A report from the National Research Council on Diet and Health
stated, "evidence linking coffee consumption to the risk
of coronary heart disease...is weak and inconsistent."
A 1989 report from the well-respected Framingham Heart Study examined
all potential links between caffeine intake and cardiovascular
disease, and found no harmful effects from drinking coffee. A
later Harvard University study confirmed this report, concluding
that caffeine intake does not "appreciably increase the risk
of coronary heart disease or stroke."
Caffeine does not cause chronic hypertension or any persistent
increase in blood pressure. Some individuals sensitive to caffeine
may experience a short-lived rise in blood pressure, usually not
lasting more than several hours. Studies show any rise in blood
pressure is modest and less than that normally experienced when
climbing stairs.
However, individuals with high blood pressure should consult their
physician about caffeine intake.
*Reprinted with permission from the International Food Information Council Foundation, December 1997.