Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. More than 80 percent of Americans regularly consume caffeine each day, making caffeine one of the most widely used mind-altering drugs, according to the University of Washington. Most experts agree that moderate use of caffeine is not harmful to your health. However, you may be consuming more caffeine than you think, because in addition to coffee, tea and soda, certain foods and medications also contain caffeine.
Drinks
Beverages are perhaps the most well known source of caffeine. Coffee often contains high levels of caffeine: an 8 oz. cup of coffee contains anywhere from 96 to 240 mg of caffeine, according to the University of Washington. In comparison, an 8 oz. cup of tea usually contains 64 to 128 mg of caffeine. The recent popularity of energy drinks provides another source of high-caffeine drinks that often contain 60 to 90 mg of caffeine per each 8 oz. serving, according to EnergyFiend.com.
Food
Foods also contains significant amounts of caffeine. Not surprisingly, coffee-flavored foods often contain the most caffeine, such as up to 85 mg per cup of coffee-flavored ice cream. A chocolate bar contains anywhere from 3 mg to 63 mg of caffeine, reports the University of Washington. Dark chocolate and bittersweet chocolate often contain more caffeine that milk chocolate.
Medication
Several over-the-counter medications contain surprising amounts of caffeine. The diet medication Dexatrim contains 200 mg caffeine in each tablet. Not surprisingly, medications intended to help keep you awake contain high levels of caffeine, from 100 mg per pill in No-Doz up to 200 mg per pill in Vivarin. The headache medication Excedrin contains 65 mg of caffeine in a single pill, and Anacin and Midol each contain 32 mg per tablet.
Caffeine and Health
Most experts agree that you can take moderate amounts of caffeine and not suffer negative health consequences, MedlinePlus states. Roughly 250 mg per day is considered moderate consumption. As a single 8 oz. cup of very strong coffee contains up to 240 mg coffee, many people easily consume more than 250 mg of caffeine in a single day. Symptoms of too much caffeine include anxiety, restlessness and irritability. Insomnia, headaches and abnormal heart rhythms are also signs of excess caffeine intake.
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