Caffeine Content in Food and Drugs

Caffeine is one of the most thoroughly researched and prove ergogenic aids available. It is the only habit-forming psychoactive drug we routinely serve even to our children (coke, chocolate). An alkaloid that occurs naturally in the leaves, seeds and fruit of tea, coffee, cacao, kola trees, and more than 60 other plants, this ancient wonder drug has been prescribed for human use as far back as the sixth century B.C. In addition, caffeine is sometimes added to foods and beverages during the manufacturing process in order to enhance flavor, or in the case of medications, to enhance efficacy.

A single cup of coffee packs a big punch of caffeine when compared to other popular beverages, though the caffeine content found in gourmet coffee beans will vary. The robusta coffee beans used in less expensive brands contain almost twice as much caffeine as the Arabica beans favored by coffee connoisseurs. The type of coffee roast will also affect the amount of caffeine content. The lighter and medium roasts of coffees have a higher levels of caffeine than the darker roasts which lose some of the drug during the longer roasting time.

Factors that Affect the Caffeine Content Levels in Coffee

Each of the following can slightly alter the level of caffeine in decaffeinated coffee so that it is above or below the typical caffeine level.

1. blend composition
2. brewing extraction rates
3. grind
4. roast color
5. water temperature

Higher extraction rates, warmer water, a finer grind, and a lighter roast all result in a higher caffeine level in decaf coffee. Potentially, the caffeine content level could increase from approximately 2 mg to 6 mg per cup. This is a negligible increase relative to a caffeinated cup of coffee, which contains between 60 to 180 mg of caffeine per cup.

Caffeine Content Chart

Drug makers have to label the amount of caffeine content in their offerings, but food and beverage companies don't. The below list of familiar products shows how fast your dose can add up.

1 — Serving sizes are based on commonly eaten portions, pharmaceutical instructions, or the amount of the leading-selling container size. For example, beverages sold in 16-ounce or half-liter bottles were counted as having caffeine content as one serving.

2 — Sources: National Coffee Association, National Soft Drink Association, Tea Council of the USA, and information provided by food, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies and J.J. Barone, H.R. Roberts (1996) “Caffeine Consumption.” Food Chemistry and Toxicology, vol. 34, pp. 119-129.