High-Energy Cafe: Exploring the Caffeine Content of Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks, and more

2023-12-16 19:20:00
Coffee is a popular drink that many people choose to consume during breakfast, as people want to start the day with enough energy (Illustrative image Infobae)

Caffeine is an alkaloid antioxidant that acts as a stimulant of the central nervous system and has diuretic properties that promote the elimination of fluids from the body, according to the MedlinePlus portal of the United States National Library of Medicine. Additionally, the outlet reported that it stimulates or excites the brain and can be used for short-term relief from fatigue.

The Food and Drug Administration The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that daily consumption of up to 400 milligrams of caffeine, which is roughly equivalent to four to five cups of coffee, is generally not linked to serious adverse health effects.

Although, this compound is not only present in coffee, but also in other drinks or foods that are on the market and that people usually consume during breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Drinking coffee during the workday is a common practice in many professional environments. The drink is not only associated with a rest break, but is also appreciated for its stimulating effects (Illustrative image Infobae)

In accordance with European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a normal 250 ml can of energy drink, which can be found in any supermarket or store and is purchased by athletes, contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. Although, the entity highlights that the quantity of the container may vary depending on the country where it is sold or the brand of the product.

Although, the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) mentioned that these drinks are not recommended for children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women.

Energy drinks are consumed by some athletes with the aim of improving their physical performance, increasing their energy and reducing fatigue during training and competitions (Illustrative image Infobae)

In the same way, the AESAN specified that the consumption of “energy drinks with sugars” can lead to exceeding the daily amount of simple sugars suggested by the World Health Organization, established at 50 grams. A 250 milliliter can of these drinks provides approximately 27.5 to 30 g of sugar, while a 500 ml can contains between 55 and 60 g.

For this reason, it is important to read the labels of energy drinks to know their caffeine and sugar content and not exceed the recommended intake, since each product contains its own composition.

The EFSA mentioned that a 220 milliliter cup of black tea has around 50 milligrams of caffeine. Although, it will also depend a lot on the size of the container.

Tea has a wide range of varieties, such as black, green, white or herbal tea, each with its own flavor profiles and properties (Illustrative image Infobae)

Although, MedlinePlus recommends that moderate consumption of this filter comprises up to four cups a day, as it is generally considered safe for most people. However, exceeding this amount might lead to health risks due to the caffeine content, which can cause everything from headaches to cardiac arrhythmias.

According to EFSA information, a can of soda or soda, which is usually sold in 355 ml containers, has 40 mg of caffeine. The entity pointed out that the content of this antioxidant and the size of the portions vary in countries, however, it must be remembered that this drink contains sugar.

Although, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises limiting the intake of free sugars to a maximum of 10% of the total daily calories, and points out possible health benefits if this amount is reduced to 5%, which represents a consumption less than 250 ml of sweetened drinks per day.

Excessive consumption of soft drinks can have negative effects on health, as they usually contain high amounts of added sugars (Illustrative image Infobae)

Likewise, according to EFSA, a 50-gram bar of dark chocolate contains 25 milligrams of caffeine. This food will be prepared as a drink during the Christmas holidays, so consumption must be regulated and comply with FDA recommendations.

According to the FDA, common side effects associated with excessive caffeine consumption include insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, increased heart rate, upset stomach, nausea, and headache. Additionally, it can cause a feeling of unhappiness.

Excessive caffeine consumption can interfere with sleep patterns and potentially cause insomnia (Illustrative image Infobae)

In the same way, the entity mentions that caffeine acts as a stimulant that increases the feeling of alertness and wakefulness, but it cannot replace the restorative functions of sleep. It takes the body between 4 and 6 hours to metabolize half of the caffeine ingested; Therefore, drinking coffee during dinner might affect your ability to sleep at bedtime.

Furthermore, a studywhich was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry indicated that regular caffeine consumption might limit the brain’s ability to learn and rewire itself.

This research examined the influence of this substance on the long-term potentiation (LTP) process, vital for strengthening neuronal connections and the acquisition of knowledge.

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