Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. It exists naturally in plants and can also be produced synthetically and added to foods and beverages. Although frequently ingested through food (e.g., chocolate) and sometimes in pain, cold, or diet medication, caffeine is most often consumed through beverages such as coffee, tea, and carbonated soda or sodalike beverages (including many energy drinks). The amount of caffeine in coffee varies based on the size of the serving, the type of coffee, and how the coffee is prepared. According to the U.S. National Institute of Health, a 250-ml cup of coffee can vary in the quantity of contained caffeine from 5 mg in decaffeinated coffee to 30 mg to 120 mg in instant coffee and to 40 mg to 180 mg in brewed coffee. In comparison, brewed tea can contain 20 mg to 90 mg, instant tea roughly 28 mg, common soft drinks 36 mg to 90 mg, and chocolate milk 3 mg to 6 mg of caffeine. In the United States, as well as in many other countries, caffeine does not have to be listed on product labels unless it has been added to the product separately. In other words, if a product contains another substance (e.g., yerba maté) that naturally includes caffeine, caffeine does not have to be listed as a separate ingredient.

Caffeine is not a nutrient that the body requires for optimal healthy functioning. Rather, it belongs to the class of drugs popularly called central nervous system stimulants due to their ability to heighten physical and psychological functioning. Several sources, including the American Psychiatric Association, note that the average daily consumption of caffeine among American adults is at least 200 mg to 300 mg a day (equivalent to about two to three cups of regular coffee) and that roughly 80% of Americans consume caffeine daily. Along with its reported beneficial effects, caffeine carries with it a host of possible adverse consequences. Such consequences, combined with caffeine's prevalent use in North America, have triggered a growing concern over this legally sanctioned drug.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes caffeine under the category of "Generally Recognized as Safe" for moderate consumption, and the American Medical Association maintains a similar position. However, the concept of moderate consumption is unique to every individual and depends on factors such as an individual's health and body makeup. For example, some individuals can drink several caffeinated beverages in short succession and experience little or no effects while others may experience caffeine's stimulating properties after consuming only one.

Ubiquitous caffeine use raises the question of how much is too much. Whereas the United States does not hold official national guidelines for general caffeine consumption, such principles are available in Canada. For the general adult population, Health Canada recommends a maximum of 400 mg per day, the equivalent of three to four 8 ounce cups of brewed coffee. Health Canada's recommendation for caffeine intake for women of childbearing age who are anticipating pregnancy in the future was lowered in 2003 based on new research. They reported that these women are at increased risk of adverse reproductive effects and should not exceed more than 300 mg per day. This recommendation is inline with those made by the [Page 152]U.S. National Institute of Health, which stated that caffeine consumption over 300 mg per day by pregnant women results in an increased risk of miscarriage and in slowed growth of a developing fetus. Children are at much greater risk for the negative behavioral consequences that can result from caffeine use. For those age 12 and under, based on average body weight, Health Canada recommends a maximum daily intake of 45 mg for children ages 4 to 6, 62.5 mg for children ages 7 to 9 and 85 mg for children ages 10 to 12.

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