Know about Caffeine
Does it seem like everyone is walking around carrying a cup of coffee or an energy drink these days? People usually like the way these drinks taste, but many say they drink them for the caffeine boost. You may not realize that the side effects of caffeine may out weigh the benefit of feeling more alert. Too much caffeine can make you feel “jittery� and nervous. It can also make your blood pressure and heart rate go up. This guide was created to help you learn about caffeine so you can make healthy choices about your caffeine intake.
Caffeine is naturally found in the leaves, beans, seeds, and fruits of many plants. It is also added to some foods and drinks and some pain relievers such as headache medicine. Caffeine is considered a drug. It works by exciting your nervous system which may make you feel more awake and alert. Having too much caffeine is not healthy, and caffeine can be addictive. Although caffeine is not stored in our bodies, the effects can be felt for up to 6 hours.
Common sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, some soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate, some over the counter medicines, and some prescription medications. Teens usually get caffeine by drinking soda and energy drinks. Sodas such as Pepsi®, Coca-Cola®, Sunkist®, and Mountain Dew® and popular energy drinks such as Redbull®, Full Throttle®, and Monster® contain caffeine. Some companies such as Pepsi® and Coca-Cola® also make decaffeinated soda. Look for the word(s) “decaffeinated� or “caffeine free� on the can or bottle. Sprite® and Fresca® are two types of soda that do not contain any caffeine.
The amount of caffeine that is safe for teens to have in a day has not been determined, but moderate amounts of caffeine (300 milligrams or less per day) is considered safe for adults. Teens who are having more then 300 milligrams a day should try to cut down on the amount of caffeine they are having.
Having too much caffeine can cause side effects like “the jitters�, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia (trouble sleeping), headaches, high blood pressure and a fast heart rate. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it will make you have to urinate (pee) more often. It can be dehydrating if you are in the heat or working out because unlike sports drinks (such as Gatorade®), caffeinated drinks do not replace the water and minerals that you loose when you sweat. If you have caffeine in combination with some medications used for ADHD, asthma, and certain heart conditions, the side effects (such as feeling like you have the jitters) can be more noticeable and uncomfortable. It is important that you ask your health care provider if you should avoid caffeine.
If you think you are having too much caffeine and would like to stop, the best way to do so is to cut back slowly. Stopping too fast can lead to headaches, fatigue or lack of energy, and irritability or crankiness for a few days.
The amount of caffeine you take in can be lowered by having “caffeine-free� or “decaffeinated� foods and drinks instead of the caffeinated ones. Cutting back on the amount of caffeine you are having may make you feel tired at first, but your energy levels will return to normal in a few days.
The following table lists how much caffeine is in some popular drinks.
*For coffee and tea products, the range varies depending on the brewing method, the type of plant and the brand.
| Tea | Typical Milligrams of Caffeine | *Range of Milligrams of Caffeine |
| Black tea bag (8fl. oz. cup) | 40 | 25-110 |
| Iced tea (8fl. oz. glass) | 25 | 9-50 |
| Soda | Typical Milligrams of Caffeine |
| Coca-Cola® (12fl. oz.) | 34 |
| Pepsi® (12fl. oz.) | 38 |
| Sunkist® (12fl. oz.) | 41 |
| Mountain Dew® (12fl. oz.) | 55 |
| Other Drinks | Typical Milligrams of Caffeine | *Range of Milligrams of Caffeine |
| Cocoa Beverage (8fl. oz.) |
6 | 3-32 |
| Chocolate Milk Beverage (8fl. oz.) |
5 | 2-7 |
*For coffee and tea products, the range varies depending on the brewing method, the type of plant and the brand.
Although caffeine may give you an energy boost, it might cause you to feel irritable and more tired when it wears off. It is important to think about the positive and negative effects of caffeine and talk to your health care provider to make sure it is safe for you to have caffeine-containing drinks, foods, and medications.
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