This document provides an overview of caffeine, including its history of use in tea, coffee and chocolate, consumption levels, metabolism, effects on performance and health issues. Key points are that caffeine is naturally found in certain plants, moderate consumption of up to 300mg per day is considered safe for most adults, and while withdrawal symptoms may occur if intake is abruptly stopped, moderate amounts do not pose serious health risks. Further research on caffeine continues but overall evidence supports moderate intake.

1. All About Caffeine
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2. Introduction
 Decades of scientific research on
all aspects of caffeine and health
yet….
 Caffeine confusion persists

3. History of Caffeine
 2737 B.C.-- Chinese made tea using tea
leaves
 575 A.D. -- Coffee originated in Africa
 11th century -- Arabians consumed coffee
beverages
 1519 -- Aztecs introduced chocolate to
Spanish explorers
 1880s -- First caffeinated soft drinks

4. Caffeine Quick Facts
 Naturally found in leaves, seeds,
and fruits of plants
 Coffee, tea, chocolate and some
soft drinks
 Used as a flavoring agent

5. Caffeine Consumption
 Experts agree: moderation and
common sense are key
 Moderation = 300 mg; or about 3
cups of coffee
 Adult per capita consumption
approximately 200 mg daily (Food &
Chemical Toxicology, 1996)

6. Caffeine Metabolism
 Mild central nervous system
stimulant
 Caffeine effects vary greatly
 Caffeine excreted within several
hours of consumption

7. Dependence/Withdrawal
 Moderate caffeine consumption is
safe and should not be classified
with addictive drugs of abuse
 When regular caffeine
consumption is abruptly
discontinued, some people may
experience temporary withdrawal
symptoms

8. Caffeine & Performance
 May increase alertness and
enhance performance
 Improved physical endurance
 Enhanced mental abilities

9. Women’s Health
 Women wonder about safety of
caffeine-containing foods and
beverages
 Research supports moderate
consumption of caffeine for
consumers, including pregnant,
nursing, and post-menopausal
women

10. Caffeine & Reproductive
Health
 Fertility: No association between
total caffeine consumption and
reduced fertility
 Miscarriage: Ongoing research and
numerous existing studies find no
evidence that moderate caffeine
intake has adverse effects on
pregnancy or pregnancy outcome

11. Breastfeeding
 1-3 cups of coffee a day OK
 3+ can lead to increased
wakefulness and poor feeding for
the baby

12. Breast Changes
 No association between caffeine
and breast changes, tumors, or
tenderness

13. Caffeine and Kids
• Except for infants, children
metabolize caffeine more rapidly
than adults
• However, pound for pound,
children are no more sensitive to
caffeine than adults

14. Questions About
Caffeine & Health Issues
 Osteoporosis: Adequate calcium
consumption, such as a small
amount of milk, offsets potential
effect of caffeine on bone density

15. Questions About
Caffeine & Health
 Heart Disease: Some people may
experience temporary and minor
rise in blood pressure, similar to
climbing a flight of stairs

16. Questions About
Caffeine & Health Issues
Hydration:
 Anecdotal reports that caffeine “causes
dehydration” exaggerate the facts
 Caffeine consumption does stimulate
mild diuresis, but this is usually offset by
the liquid with which it is typically
consumed
 Tolerance to caffeine reduces the chance
of fluid imbalance

17. What Products Contain
Caffeine—and How Much?
Milligrams Caffeine
Item Typical Range
 Coffee (8 oz) 100 60 – 180
 Tea (8 oz) 40 20 – 90
 Some soft drinks (8 oz) 24 20 – 40
 Cocoa beverage (8 oz) 6 3 – 32
 Chocolate milk (8 oz) 5 2 – 7
 Milk chocolate (1 oz) 6 1 – 15
 Baker’s chocolate (1 oz) 26 26

18. What This Means to You
 Researchers continue to study
caffeine and health issues
 Overwhelming scientific evidence
shows caffeine consumption is
safe
 Moderation is key

19. Where to Find
Scientifically-Based
Information on Caffeine
 Health Canada Fact Sheet on Caffeine: http://www.hc-
sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/dg/e_caffeine.html
 US Food & Drug Administration:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html
 American Dietetic Association:
http://www.eatright.com/healthy/caffeine.html and
http://www.eatright.com/adap0699.html
 Duyff, R., American Dietetic Association Complete
Food and Nutrition Guide, 2nd Edition
 International Food Information Council Foundation:
http://ific.org

20. More Sources of Reliable
Information on Caffeine
 National Soft Drink Association:
http://www.nsda.org/WhatsIn/caffeinecontent.html
 National Coffee Association: www.ncausa.org
 Tea Council of the USA: www.teausa.com