You likely already know that your cup of coffee contains caffeine, but hidden sources of caffeine are not so obvious. A diet that includes more than 600 mg of caffeine per day can have a range of negative side effects, including insomnia, jitters, nervousness, increased heart rate and an upset stomach. Educating yourself about where caffeine might be hiding will help you stay within a safe daily limit.
Chocolate
Your favorite chocolate bar or chocolate drink might contain caffeine, a fact that can surprise many people. While the amount of caffeine chocolate contains is small, it is still something to consider if you are trying to reduce your intake. The Center for Science in the Public Interest notes that a Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar contains 31 mg of caffeine, while a regular chocolate bar contains 9 mg. An 8-oz. cup of hot cocoa or nine Hershey kisses also contain 9 mg of caffeine each.
Frozen Desserts
Many frozen desserts that contain either chocolate or coffee can also contain some caffeine. The Center for Science in the Public Interest suggests that coffee-flavored desserts are of concern. An 8 oz. serving of Haagen-Dazs coffee-flavored ice cream contains 58 mg of caffeine, while the Ben and Jerry's brand contains between 68 mg and 84 mg. If you are restricting your intake of caffeine, read the labels on your favorite frozen desserts to determine whether you will stay within your limit by having a serving.
Breath Fresheners
You might pop a piece of gum or a mint in your mouth without really thinking about the ingredients it contains, but some breath fresheners contain caffeine. The Center for Science in the Public Interest notes that the Jolt brand of caffeinated gum contains 33 mg of caffeine per stick. Some brands of caffeinated breath mints on the market can have a significant amount of caffeine per piece, with some comparable to a cup of coffee.
Over-the-Counter Medications
When you take an over-the-counter medication for a headache or other minor ailment, you might not even be thinking about whether it contains caffeine or not. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that some of the most popular medications contain a large amount of caffeine per dose. Both NoDoz and Vivarin contain 200 mg of caffeine in just 1 tablet. Maximum-strength Excedrin has 130 mg in two tablets, and Anacin contains 64 mg in two tablets. Read the labels on any over-the-counter medication you take to determine whether it contains caffeine or not.
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