National Caffeine Awareness Month - Pros and Cons of the Caffeine Craze

So what's the harm, ask caffeine lovers, who point to studies showing the benefits of caffeine, such as boosting memory and improving concentration and perhaps lowering risks of diseases such as Alzheimer's and liver cancer.

But others are alarmed by what they say is an increasingly overcaffeinated nation; they are concerned about studies finding too much caffeine can set you up for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and decreased bone density -- not to mention jangled nerves.

Caffeine abuse by young people alarms some experts. It was the cause of many calls to an Illinois Poison Center over a three-year tracking period, a team of doctors reported at the American College of Emergency Physicians annual meeting in New Orleans.

FDA investigating caffeine-infused food

Though today we look at the caffeine in Carbonated Beverages, this is also an opportunity to view the caffeine in energy drinks that have been cited as the cause of some deaths and are currently being investigated by the US FDA. Some energy drinks contain 2 to 3 times the amount of caffeine found in soda.

Links between energy drinks and death

Hidden Dangers of Caffeinated Energy Drinks



Caffeine (mg) based on 12-ounces Soda

Caffeine   Soda

  (mg)

 71.2         Jolt       

 69.0         Diet Pepsi Max 

 55.0         Pepsi One

 55.0         Mountain Dew

 55.0         Mountain Dew Code Red

 55.0         Diet Mountain Dew

 46.5         Tab

 45.6         Diet Coke

 44.4         Shasta Diet Cola

 43.0         Diet RC Cola

 43.0         Diet Dr. Pepper

 40.0         Diet Sunkist Orange

 37.5         Pepsi-Cola

 36.0         Diet Pepsi

 34.0         Coca-Cola Classic

 34.0         Diet Cherry Coke

 29.0         AW Creme Soda

 22.0         AW Diet Creme Soda

 0              7-Up

 0              Sprite, regular or diet

 0              AW Root Beer

Resources
1. WebMD: Pros and Cons of the Caffeine Craze

November 19, Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day

Though today we look at the caffeine in Carbonated Beverages, this is also an opportunity to view the caffeine in energy drinks that have been cited as the cause of some deaths and is currently being investigated by the US FDA. Some energy drinks contain 2 to 3 times the amount of caffeine found in soda.

How much Caffeine is too much?

Mayo Clinic

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks.

Although caffeine use may be safe for adults, it's not a good idea for children. And adolescents should limit themselves to no more than 100 mg of caffeine a day.

Even among adults, heavy caffeine use can cause unpleasant side effects. And caffeine may not be a good choice for people who are highly sensitive to its effects or who take certain medications.

5-Hour Energy Drinks: FDA Looks Into Caffeinated Beverage

Hidden Dangers of Caffeinated Energy Drinks

Caffeine (mg) based on 12-ounces Soda