Caffeine

What is Caffeine?

Caffeine occurs naturally in over 60 different types of plants. The most common sources of caffeine in the Western diet are coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks.

Soy Coffee=Low Caffeine

Soy coffee is a coffee made using soy beans and coffee beans. Soy coffee is ideal for people who would like a healthier alternative to regular coffee. Soy coffee often has less caffeine than regular coffee.

What are the effects of Caffeine?

There are several short-term effects of caffeine.

Some of the most common short-term effects of drinking caffeine are:

• increased alertness (caffeine is a mild stimulant)
• makes your heart beat faster (caffeine is a mild stimulant)
• makes you go to the toilet more (caffeine is a diuretic)
• raises your body temperature
• makes your digestive system produce more acid.

Caffeine can take 4 to 6 hours for the effects of caffeine to wear off.

How much caffeine is too much?

Moderate caffeine intake is probably not harmful to healthy adults. However, regular large amounts (over 350mg/day) may cause dependency, also called caffeinism and adversely affect health.

Large amounts of cola drinks (34 - 68 fl.oz per day) as well as daily morning coffee may also lead to excessive caffeine intake.

What are the symptoms of excessive caffeine intake?

Some of the most common symptoms of excessive caffeine intake are:

• chronic insomnia
• persistent anxiety
• depression
• restlessness
• heart palpitations
• upset stomach
• headaches when caffeine is not present

Caffeine content in common Products

Instant coffee	146 mg per cup
Cocoa	110 mg per cup
Decaffeinated coffee	4 mg per cup
Loose tea, 5 minute brew	40 mg per cup
Bag tea, 5 minute brew	46 mg per cup
Coca-cola	65 mg per 12-ounce can
Diet Dr. Pepper	54 mg per 12-ounce can
Dr. Pepper	61 mg per 12-ounce can
Mountain Dew	55 mg per 12-ounce can
Pepsi-Cola	43 mg per 12-ounce can
Excedrin	65 mg per tablet
Midol	132 mg per tablet
No-Doz	100 mg per tablet

Bad news about caffeine

• A Finish study found that the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis increases in people drinking several cups or more of coffee daily.
• Unfiltered coffee can raise blood cholesterol.
• Coffee does not make a drunk person sober up, it just makes them wide awake.
• Excess caffeine can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Two cans of cola drinks can cause anxiety and reduces the ability to sleep.
• Caffeine may increase the symptoms of fibrocystic breast lumps in some women.

Mama wants to help

Resources for free food Domestic violence hotline Free and low rent housing Adult daycare Holiday resources Share your story. We will listen.