An astounding 120,000 tons of caffeine are consumed annually worldwide. Caffeine is found in coffee and tea, as well as in chocolates and other candies, soft drinks, desserts and energy drinks. The caffeine content of some of these products can be quite high. Caffeine is mildly addictive, and though it's safe when consumed in moderation, excessive intake may lead to health problems.
Coffee and Tea
The caffeine content of coffee and tea varies by strength and variety. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an 8-oz. cup of brewed coffee contains, on average, 133mg of caffeine, while a 1-oz. serving of espresso contains 40mg. A Grande brewed coffee at Starbucks has 320mg caffeine. Eight ounces of brewed tea contains 53mg of caffeine, on average. A 16-oz. Snapple lemon iced tea has 42mg caffeine.
Soft Drinks
The Food and Drug Administration limits the caffeine content of soft drinks to 71mg per 12-oz. serving. Jolt cola exceeds this limit, with 72mg per 12-oz. serving. Mountain Dew and Vault each contain 71mg caffeine. Coca-Cola Classic has 35mg caffeine in a 12-oz. can. Soft drinks with no caffeine include Sprite and Mug root beer.
Candies and Sweets
Many chocolates and chocolate products contain caffeine. A 1.45-oz. Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar has 31mg caffeine, while a regular 1.55-oz. Hershey's chocolate bar has only 9mg. Caffeine is also found in other chocolate candies, hot chocolate and chocolate cookies and brownies. Jolt makes a caffeinated chewing gum with 33mg caffeine in each stick.
Ice Cream
Some ice creams are flavored with caffeine-containing ingredients. There are 84mg caffeine in an 8-oz. serving of Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream, and 68mg in a serving of its Coffee Flavored Ice Cream. Coffee-flavored ice creams from Haagen-Dazs and Starbucks also contain caffeine.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks tend to have more caffeine than most other dietary sources. There are 300mg of caffeine in an 8.4-oz. serving of Spike Shooter. Energy drinks with lower caffeine content include Glaceau Vitamin Water Energy Citrus (50mg per 20 oz.) and SoBe Essential Energy, berry or orange (48mg per 8 oz.).
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